IOM conference focuses on IDPs in Erbil

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – The Technical Consultative Board of International Organization for Migration (IOM) along with various KRG representatives discussed plans for water, agriculture, and education in Erbil Province on Monday.

This year, the towns of Ankawa, Shaqlawa, Pirzeen, and Bahraka in Erbil Province will be the target focus by the IOM since these localities host a high number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The IOM Community Revitalization Program conference, held in Erbil, was the first program in 2016. Similar conversations will occur in different Iraqi provinces throughout the year.

IOM Project Manager Ash Carl told K24 the international organization chose these communities following "extensive consultation" with local authorities and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Additionally, Carl added that the organization had plans “to identify where exactly IOM’s assistance can help these communities recover from the crisis.”

Carl said that many neighborhoods in Kurdistan Region are overwhelmed by thousands of IDPs. There are crowded classrooms and overstretched health clinics, he said.

The IOM Project Manager also highlighted that they plan to provide business training development, farming-related educational programs, as well as helping support some 250 households.

Director of Baharka District Jwan Rafiq said, "We have asked for long-term projects...including farming and animal husbandry projects [to] take advantage of our fertile lands in producing [more] seasonal crops and dairy products."

Regarding the organization’s plan, IOM-Iraq Communications Officer Sandra Black said, "IOM will present the three-year community development plan, developed in partnership with local authorities and representatives of selected communities."

IOM aims to contribute to Iraq's stability by improving conditions for sustainable socio-economic inclusion for the most vulnerable communities including IDPs.

According to a recent IOM-Iraq report, over 3.3 million Iraqis are displaced since early 2014.

The US state-funded IOM is in Iraq since 2003 and active in 15 provinces, including the three major Kurdistan Region Provinces of Erbil, Dohuk, and Sulaimani.

Reporting by Gulala Khaled

Editing by Benjamin Kweskin and Karzan Sulaivany