‘EU should aid IDPs in Kurdistan, before they reach EU doorsteps’

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – If we can take care of the displaced in Kurdistan Region, they will not be asylum-seekers at the doorsteps of European and other countries, said a senior KRG official on Friday.

The EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides and his accompanied delegation visited the Dibaga Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Erbil. Following their visit, they held a press conference with Falah Mustafa, the head of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations.

“Such visits are very important for us because it provides an opportunity for our friends and partners around the world to come to see the situation on the ground and have a real assessment regarding the situation, the needs and the way forward,” Mustafa said.

He thanked EU and other countries that have provided humanitarian aid to the Kurdistan Region, but he stated that more should be provided to prevent a crisis or a disaster from happening.

“We believe that there will be a humanitarian catastrophe if we don’t prepare ourselves [for Mosul offensive]… KRG is at its limit in infrastructure and the capability to meet this new challenge,” he added.

Kurdistan Region is home to 1.8 million IDPs and refugees who mostly fled from other parts of Iraq due to the threat of the Islamic State (IS).

Minister Falah stated that the KRG has done its best so far, but for the new wave of IDPs to the Region, KRG needs a massive humanitarian assistance from its partners around the world.

He also warned that the new wave of IDPs to the Region might die due to the lack of food, shelter and basic services that it is beyond the KRG’s means.

“Hosting IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan Region cost $117 million a month and in a year it comes to about [USD] $1.5 billion,” Mustafa explained.

“Again, I would like to reiterate that the KRG believes it is a shared responsibility. If we can take care of the needs of IDPs and refugees in here on the ground then they will not be asylum-seekers at the doorsteps of the European and other countries,” he warned.

On the other hand, Stylianides stated that they have conducted an assessment on the ground and know that what the major issues are.

“I am here to praise the people and the government of the Kurdistan Region for their generosity in this very difficult condition that hosts so many displaced Iraqis that it can only be commended,” Stylianides said.

He mentioned that in his meetings with the Kurdish officials, he expressed the EU’s solidarity with Kurdistan Region for an outstanding hospitality in welcoming IDPs.

“I am proud as a European commissioner that in this difficult condition that what EU demonstrates is the commitment with action, not only words,” he concluded.

Recently, EU announced they will send 104 million euros in humanitarian assistance to Iraq and Kurdistan Region.

Editing by Ava Homa