Kurdistan Region PM's Efforts for Yezidi Survivors
Saeed Jardo explained that the allowance will be distributed across the four main districts of the Lalesh region: Sheikhan, Sharya, Khanke, and Deraboon.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The financial assistance of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for February was distributed to over 3,500 Yezidi survivors who were rescued from the hands of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This support is allocated to them on a monthly basis.
Saeed Jardo, Head of the Supreme Council of the Lalish Cultural and Social Center in Duhok, confirmed to Kurdistan24, "This marks the sixth consecutive month of Prime Minister Barzani's initiative, which will continue without interruption for more than 3,500 Yezidi survivors, who were rescued from ISIS captivity."
A Continued Commitment to Yezidi Survivors
Jardo further explained that the allowance will be distributed across the four main districts of the Lalesh region: Sheikhan, Sharya, Khanke, and Deraboon. The distribution process will last several days, and even those who have migrated abroad can receive the allowance through available channels.
He clarified that the allowance has no connection to salaries or wages from the government but is solely a humanitarian initiative by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to support the survivors' dignity and well-being. “The distribution is a crucial effort that will positively impact the lives of those who suffered under ISIS,” Jardo emphasized.
Educational Support for Yezidi Students
In addition to the financial support, Jardo revealed that under the directives of the Prime Minister, Yezidi students who were forced to discontinue their education due to ISIS violence are now being reintegrated into schools. The Ministry of Education has facilitated all necessary arrangements to ensure the students continue their studies uninterrupted in Kurdistan Region schools.
A New Center for Yezidi Survivors in Duhok
Jardo also highlighted the establishment of a new specialized center for the social and psychological support of ISIS survivors in Duhok. This initiative is in cooperation with the Duhok Health Directorate and aims to provide essential services for Yezidi survivors, ensuring their rehabilitation and integration into society.
The Ongoing Struggle and Displacement of Yezidis
According to statistics from the Yezidi Relief Center in the Kurdistan Region, more than 5,000 Yezidis were martyred during ISIS’s assault on Shingal in 2014. Between 2014 and 2017, over 6,400 Yezidis were abducted by ISIS, with more than 3,500 of them being rescued. Despite ongoing efforts, more than 2,000 remain unaccounted for.
Currently, over 135,000 displaced Yezidis live in camps across Duhok and Erbil, still seeking refuge after ISIS's brutal attacks.
The humanitarian initiatives led by the Kurdistan Regional Government aim not only to offer immediate relief but also to ensure long-term support for Yezidi survivors, as they work to rebuild their lives and communities after the horrific ISIS genocide.
