UN Coordinator praises Kurdistan generosity in welcoming IDPs

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The humanitarian assistance in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-controlled areas is led and coordinated by the KRG and supported by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a UN official told Kurdistan24.

During a visit to Hassan Sham internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in southwestern Erbil, the UN Coordinator for Iraq Lise Grande told Kurdistan24 that Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) has provided the best humanitarian aid to the displaced people in the country.

“Hassan Sham [IDP] camp is very famous because it's probably the best one in all over Iraq. And in large part, that’s because you have the Barzani [Charity] Foundation which is the camp manager,” Grande said.

She added that the UNHCR strongly supports the camp. “The standards here [Hassan Sham] are some of the highest we have seen anywhere, and that’s a compliment to the Barzani Foundation which made that possible.”

During a press conference with foreign and local journalists, Grande responded to Kurdistan24 that the Kurdistan Region had been a haven for the displaced people fleeing from other parts of Iraq, especially from Mosul.

“We are very grateful to the KRG. They have been very generous in opening their areas so that people can find a safe haven...and allowing us to be part of it,” she added.

According to her, there are about 20 camps and emergency sites around Mosul for the IDPs, and there are plans to construct more camps in southern Mosul, near Hamam al-Alil area.

Commenting on the return of IDPs to their homes, she noted that they cannot be forced to leave, but rather their return should be voluntary, claiming UN will meet with KRG and Baghdad authorities to ensure the principle of not forcing IDPs to return.

Grande also acknowledged that the humanitarian situation in western Mosul has rapidly deteriorated as almost half of the shops in the area have been closed including bakeries, and people are running out of fuel and electricity supplies while prices of basic foods are skyrocketing.

In Jan. 2017, Iraqi forces liberated the east of Mosul from the Islamic State (IS), the city that the extremist group call it their capital. Preparations are under way to retake west of Mosul.

Editing by Ava Homa