‘Iraqi government's support for IDPs hits historic low’, says BCF board member
This situation has been exacerbated by the significant withdrawal of international organizations and UN agencies, which have substantially reduced their aid to the camps.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Karzan Noori, a board member of the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF), revealed on Friday that the Iraqi government's support for refugees and displaced persons has reached critically low levels, providing only six food packages this year.
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Noori explained that since early 2023, both the BCF and the Kurdistan Regional Government have faced unprecedented challenges in supporting refugees and IDPs.
This situation has been exacerbated by the significant withdrawal of international organizations and UN agencies, which have substantially reduced their aid to the camps.
"We're witnessing a fundamental misunderstanding from international organizations," Noori stated.
"While these organizations are designed to respond to crises and conflicts, our experience shows that the aftermath of war is often more devastating than the conflict itself. We now see thousands of people who have left their homes, becoming homeless and hopeless about their future," he added.
He criticized the approach of international organizations and UN agencies, noting their shift towards development-focused aid: "Their justification is that their policy focuses on development assistance. However, this approach ignores the immediate needs of people living in tents who are hungry, cold, and unemployed. While development is important for both local and displaced communities, basic needs must be met before development initiatives can be effective."
Noori highlighted the Iraqi government's severe negligence towards refugees and IDPs.
“In 2022, the Iraqi government provided only 4 food packages instead of the required 12; in 2023, it distributed just 5 food packages; and this year for 2024, it delivered 6-7 food packages to date,” he underlined.
"The camps have been largely abandoned," Noori concluded. "The only primary actors remaining in the camps are the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) and Kurdistan Region Government entities."
The Kurdistan Region has been hosting a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees for years, primarily due to regional conflicts and the ISIS crisis. The situation has become increasingly challenging with the withdrawal of international aid organizations.