Closure of refugee camps sparks concerns among refugees
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displaced has mandated the closure of all refugee camps by June 30, 2024.
This directive has ignited significant anxiety among the Kurds of Mosul residing in the Mamilian camp in Akre, who are distressed at the prospect of returning to their war-ravaged homes.
The Mamilian camp in the Akre district has been home to many Kurdish refugees since 2014, when they fled the conflict in Mosul.
Aziz Hussein, the mukhtar or head of the camp, expressed his dismay at the Ministry's decision, calling it unjustified. "The Iraqi government had to first resolve the issues at those areas then make the decision to return all the refugees to their original areas,” Hussein told Kurdistan24.
Uncertain Futures and Insufficient Support
Hussein emphasized the precarious future that awaits countless families forced to return to areas with no employment prospects or livable conditions.
“Many of our families have neither jobs nor houses,” he reiterated. The Iraqi government's promise of a four-million dinar incentive for each returning family is deemed insufficient by many.
"What can be bought with a mere four-million dinars? For god’s sake, can we return to Mosul and use that money for rent? For food?” Hussein questioned.
Hassan Tajaddin, a refugee in the camp, echoed these concerns, highlighting the dangers and impracticalities of returning to Mosul.
"Our houses in Mosul are now either occupied or destroyed by unofficial forces. Some of us have houses there and we don't dare to return and some of us belong to Kurdistan Region. If the Kurdistan Region allows us to stay, we will remain in this camp and we do not want the four million dinars,” Tajaddin stated.
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A Call for Action
The Ministry's decision to close all refugee camps by the end of June has provoked widespread concern and worry among the refugees.
Having found relative peace and stability in the camps within the Kurdistan Region, the prospect of returning to unstable and unsafe conditions is deeply troubling.
In an announcement made on Sunday March 3, 2024, by Srwa Rasul, Director General of the Joint Crisis Coordination, highlighted that 900,467 displaced persons are living in the Kurdistan Region.
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According to the announcement the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kurdistan Region is 631,174 while there are 269,293 refugees with specifics as follows: 251,475 from Syria. 7,796 from Turkey, 8,357 from Iran, 652 from Palestine, and 1,013 from other locations.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has reiterated its readiness to support the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their respective areas, provided that the Iraqi government ensures stability and safeguards their rights.
Despite the Iraqi Ministry of Migration and Displaced's commitment to repatriate all IDPs by the end of July, many remain unable to return home even a decade after displacement and seven years following the defeat of ISIS.
Read More: KRG ready to assist in IDPs return, calls for genuine efforts from Iraqi government
Over 750,000 individuals continue to reside outside camps, apprehensive about returning due to various concerns.
The failure to implement the Sinjar agreement and ongoing obstacles, including armed group interference and diversion of reconstruction funds, further hinder the return of IDPs.
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The closure of these camps without addressing the underlying issues in the refugees' home areas is seen as a hasty and inadequate solution.
The Kurdish refugees in the Mamilian camp, along with their representatives, urge the Iraqi government to reconsider its decision and take meaningful steps to ensure the safety and well-being of those who have already endured so much.