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This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR
spokesperson Ron Redmond - to whom quoted text may
be attributed – at the press briefing, on 11 October
2005, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR is moving ahead with preparations for the
transfer of some 2,000 Iranian Kurdish refugees
living in difficult security conditions in Al Tash
refugee camp, near Ramadi in central Iraq, to a
temporary site at Kawa in Kurdistan-Iraq, near Erbil.
After the relocation, most of the Iranian-Kurd
population at Al Tash would have left the camp, many
on their own accord.
UNHCR's implementing partner will assist with the
relocation and settlement of the refugees, which is
expected to take place in November. Discussions are
continuing with the local authorities in
Kurdistan-Iraq over a second potential site for the
Al Tash refugees in Sulaimaniyah Governorate.
Serious security incidents in Al Tash camp -
including operations by multi-national forces; armed
men in the vicinity of the camps; three refugee
deaths and two kidnappings in the last six months;
as well as frequent water shortages and interrupted
electricity supplies – have made life extremely
difficult for the refugees. Because of the security
situation, aid agencies are only able to make
sporadic visits to the camp.
The Kawa site in Erbil Governorate has already been
cleared, ready for construction of a temporary
tented camp which is expected to be finished in the
next few weeks. The camp, which will have water,
sanitation, electricity, schools and health care
facilities, will be used by the refugees until a
more permanent camp is constructed at the site.
After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, thousands
of Iranian Kurds decided to leave Al Tash camp,
where some 12,000 had spent more than 20 years after
fleeing Iran following the Islamic revolution. Some
3,200 former Al Tash residents moved up to the
Suleimaniyah region on their own initiative, and
have been helped by the local authorities, UNHCR and
other agencies to settle in to their new home area.
Source: United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR)
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