BAGHDAD, 11 April, -- While life
is safer now for the Iranian-Kurdish refugees who moved from central
Iraq to the new Kawa camp in Kurdistan (the north of the country),
getting back on their feet again will take time.
"The people helping us are trying to provide us with the best
possible living conditions, but we're still in need of permanent
places to live, where we can rebuild our lives," said Kawa camp
resident and refugee spokesman Ahmed Lawik.
For the refugees, currently living in tents, employment – along with
the construction of permanent residences – is the pressing issue.
"The main needs for refugees at Kawa are employment, which [UN
refugee agency] UNHCR will assist in through income generation
activities, vocational training and livelihood grants," said UNHCR
spokeswoman Astrid Van Genderen from Geneva.
Hundreds of Kurdish refugees, who lived in the al-Tash camp in
central Iraq for more than 20 years, were transferred to Kawa, near
the northern city of Erbil (Kurdistan), in November 2005. They are
currently receiving assistance from the UNHCR and the Kurdish
regional government (KRG).
There were originally some 12,000 Iranian Kurds in al-Tash, most
having fled Iran during the Baghdad-Tehran war in the 1980s. But
clashes between multi-national forces and insurgents following the
US-led invasion in 2003 have since caused most to flee. According to
the UNHCR, only 267 refugees currently remain in al-Tash.
Better facilities on offer, says UNHCR
Upon arrival to Kawa from al-Tash, UNHCR officials assist refugees
with registration and ID cards and coordinate the issuing of ration
cards for monthly food supplies. "UNHCR provides comprehensive
protection and support to over 50,000 registered refugees throughout
Iraq, in addition to some 2,050 registered asylum-seekers," said Van
Genderen.
Each family from al-Tash camp receives US $250 to cover
transportation costs, and those from the Iraqi-Jordanian border
receive US $500 per family because of the longer distance. Another
$200 is provided for essential needs. All families in Kawa are
provided with tents, replete with their own latrines and bathing
facilities. The construction of permanent homes is planned for later
this year.
According to Van Genderen, refugees also receive non-food items like
cooking fuel, clothing, mattresses, blankets, lanterns, stoves and
kitchen sets. "Special attention is being given to the needs of
women, children, the elderly and the disabled," she said.
Health and basic medical services are also being provided to all
families. "My children don't get sick anymore, and their health has
improved because the doctors here pay attention to us," said Emani
Nadir, a 34-year old mother of two and Kawa camp resident.
Access to primary and secondary schools for all children is also
being negotiated. At least one school facility has been built so
far, opening its doors in February with some 16 teachers. "The
school here is very good and the teachers help us with our
homework," said Rana Diar, 11, who lives with her family in Kawa.
"It's much better than in al-Tash."
Additionally, roads have been built connecting the camp to Arbil and
Kirkuk, as well as other major population centres where bakeries,
barbers, grocery stores and clothing can be found.
Security and discrimination
While the current climate in Iraq strongly affects refugee
populations, the Iranian Kurds at Kawa do not face particular
discrimination based on their national or ethnic origins, according
to UNHCR officials. "The Anbar authorities were generous in their
support of al-Tash camp and its refugee population," said Van
Genderen. "The KRG and the Governorate of Arbil have likewise
welcomed the relocation to Kawa."
Security issues had been one of the main factors that led to the
refugees' initial relocation to safer areas. "The relocation
occurred due to security concerns arising from ongoing hostilities
in Ramadi near al-Tash camp, which also limited the ability of
UNHCR's partners to access the camp and provide assistance," said
Van Genderen. "The site allocated by the authorities at Kawa
presents a secure and durable location."
According to officials at the Ministry of Migration and
Displacement, refugees in Kawa are receiving the full protection of
the state. "They've been accepted by the local population, who try
to offer them minimum support and treat them as equals," said senior
ministry official Baker Hussein.
Kawa camp resident Daro Goran confirmed that he and his colleagues
had been welcomed by the local population. "We've been well accepted
by the locals," he said. "This new place makes us feel like we are
like any other Iraqi."
The UNHCR, together with the International Organisation for
Migration, is also helping local authorities develop a "national
policy" aimed at addressing displacement issues and identifying the
means to a durable solution.
www.irinnews.org Top |
® 