The Norwegian Refugee Council called on the Iraqi government on Tuesday (10 November) to set a clear plan to close the displacement camps, and to share this information with IDPs at least a month in advance so that they can make their arrangements.
In a statement, the council called on the authorities to coordinate with the local administrations to ensure that the returnees will not be refused passage at checkpoints, and to cooperate with humanitarian organizations in the planning, in order to ensure the returnees, receive aid during their return journey and once they are home.
As for those who cannot return safely to their homes, according to the statement, they need to be presented with “resettlement and local integration options."
This came at a time when the Ministry of Immigration and Displacement is implementing a comprehensive campaign aiming at the return of the displaced to their areas of origin and the closure of the displacement camps.
he Norwegian Refugee Council expressed its deep concern about the fate of thousands of families who live in camps all over Iraq
The Norwegian Refugee Council expressed its deep concern about the fate of thousands of families who live in camps all over Iraq, which are currently being closed hastily.
“Closing camps before residents are willing or able to return to their homes does little to end the displacement crisis. On the contrary, it keeps scores of displaced Iraqis trapped in this vicious cycle of displacement, leaving them more vulnerable than ever, especially in the middle of a raging pandemic,” the statement quoting NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland.
The Norwegian Refugee Council is a humanitarian and independent non-governmental organization with nearly 70 years of global experience. The council works in the midst of various conflicts, responding to the needs of IDPs and refugees, and contributing to finding durable solutions to displacement.
Its staff includes nearly 9,000 people, working in about 25 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Caucasus, Latin America and Europe. The Council works closely with the United Nations, national and international organizations and partners.
Ahlam, a 49-year-old IDP woman living in Hammam al-Alil, burst into tears when the news reached her forcing her to leave the camp, and she said: "This is my home. Why do you want to evict me from my home? We will become homeless. I feel like I'm at a funeral." Ahlam said that her last resort is to pitch her tent somewhere in Mosul.
Why do you want to evict me from my home? We will become homeless
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Immigration and Displacement announced the return of 4,146 displaced persons home regions in the Nineveh and Anbar provinces.
