Refugees said that the aid given to them decreased after the war started. Residents who say, “The United Nations is no longer helping,” don’t want to be ignored.
The camps in Erbil and Duhok, Iraq, host refugees.
Residents in the camps say that aid to them has dwindled since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, and the focus is on Ukraine.
“Aid directed to Ukraine”
As a result, it is stated that there are great problems in the supply of food, drinking water and the collection of garbage.
Pointing out that aid has been directed to Ukraine in the last period, residents are calling for help from the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations and Iraqi authorities.
“We are dehydrated, we cannot live because of the heat”
Abide Salih Ömer, a Syrian from Erbil’s Gevrgosk Camp, asked the UN to be with them.
Noting that their food is running low, the spread of the smell due to the accumulated garbage and heat poses a danger especially to children, Ömer said. “Not only these, sometimes we are left without water in these tents for 3-4 days and it is not possible to live in the heat.
The UN makes a decision every day. Now they are teaching our children outside the camp. We want their schools to be included in the camp.” said.
“How can I take care of myself and my daughter if the UN does not help”
Noting that they could not return to their homes due to the ongoing war in their country, Ömer said:
“How can I take care of myself and my daughter if the United Nations does not help. We have not been helped since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war. Aid to refugees must not be cut.”
“The United Nations is no longer helping”
Another Syrian, Abdulkerim Muhammed Kasım, who has been living in Gevrgosk Camp for 9 years, also stated that the cleanliness of the camp has deteriorated and garbage is piling up everywhere.
Emphasizing that refugees are waiting for help, Kasım said, “The United Nations does not help us refugees anymore. With the Ukraine war, humanitarian aid has turned to that. We ask them not to ignore us and to give the same help to others as they have given to the Ukrainian refugees.” he said.
“We complain about the Iraqi government”
Bahar Davud Ilyas from Sincar, who is staying in the Sarya Camp in Duhok, said that they started living in the camps after they got rid of the terrorist organization DAESH.
Elijah, “At first, there was a lot of material and moral assistance from the institutions, but now this is not enough. We complain about the Iraqi government, they need to find a solution to this problem. Iraq is a state, it must find a solution for the refugees.” used the phrases.
Pointing out that they have difficulties in caring for their children, İlyas pointed out that precautions should also be taken regarding the burning tents due to the increasing heat.
“No help for a month”
Young Yazidi Ilyas Bekir, a resident of Sharya Camp, also “Previously, there was a charity that helped every family, but for a month they did not give any.” said.
Bekir pointed out that Iraq has not provided any assistance to them so far, only the KRG government and the city of Duhok have hosted them.
“We demand that they do not ignore this place”
Barzani Aid Foundation President Musa Ahmed stated that the situation in the camps is not good. “We have warned the KRG government, the Ministry of the Interior, the Iraqi government and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees that international aid is declining and most of the camps have no programs from these aid agencies.” he said.
Ahmed commented that if the aid does not continue, the situation of the refugees will be worse than the first day.
Ahmed, “We demand that international aid agencies and the UN do not ignore this place.” said.
Special conference request in Erbil
Dayan Cafer, Provincial Director of Duhok Center for Migration and Nomads and Combating Crisis, said that after many aid organizations left the camps, they prepared a report showing how much budget each sector needed.
Cafer expressed their hope that the Iraqi Immigration and Migration Administration will organize a special conference in Erbil, to which aid organizations affiliated to the UN were also invited to solve the problem.
“Aid organizations went to Ukraine when the war broke out”
Reminding that the Iraqi Ministry of Finance had previously announced that the economic situation in the country was good, Cafer said that this statement also caused the aid organizations in the region to leave.
Jafar, “Aid organizations went to Ukraine with the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.” said.
“We need to diversify our funding sources”
According to the news of AA, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Iraq Spokesperson Firas Elhir stated that their work in the region is priority-based.
Elhir, “We need to diversify our funding sources and work with other partners so we can give more support to refugees.” used the phrases.
Call for support for the displaced population
Noting that supporting refugees to stand on their feet and be a part of the society economically, Elhir said:
“Donors tend to help in new crises and conflicts as well. Apart from Ukraine, there are many other situations in the world and other places that need donors’ attention. We all need to work together, we need more support for the displaced population.”
