Musa Ahmad: Following the reduction in support from agencies and organizations, the heavy burden has now fallen on the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Barzani Charity Foundation.
In the presence of a number of government officials, representatives of international organizations, and prominent figures, a special ceremony was held on the occasion of World Refugee Day, during which artistic works and handicraft products made by refugees were exhibited.
Every year on June 20, World Refugee Day is marked with special events in many countries around the world. On this occasion, the Barzani Charity Foundation, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Relations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and in the presence of the Minister of Interior, the Governor of Erbil, and the Director of the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC), organized a special ceremony to commemorate the day.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Toby Harward, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Iraq, welcomed the attendees and congratulated them on World Refugee Day. He praised the important role of the Barzani Charity Foundation for the diverse humanitarian services it has provided to refugees for many years, becoming a strong support in improving their lives. He said: “This year, World Refugee Day carries a powerful and united message: ‘We uphold our promise to protect until everyone is safe.’”
Toby Harward also noted that 57 years ago, after the end of the Second World War, the world made an important promise that benefited everyone: those who are forced to flee their homes have the right to seek refuge and safety and to live in security. This promise was never intended for only a few people; rather, it was made for all of us. Upholding the promise of protection is not merely an expression of sympathy, but a call to action and commitment.
He said: “In Iraq, refugees are welcomed with openness, tolerance, compassion, respect, generosity, and hospitality. They are also given opportunities to become self-reliant and contribute to the development of host communities.
This reality is more evident than anywhere else in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a region that has hosted nearly 300,000 refugees for more than a decade.
In Iraq, the promise of protection is reflected in the policies and guidelines implemented by both the Federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. These policies provide a clear framework for asylum procedures and the protection of refugees’ rights, while maintaining a balance with the country’s legal, administrative, and security interests.
In the Kurdistan Region, this promise is fulfilled through the integration of refugees into social life and public services. Over the years, the Kurdistan Regional Government, with the support of our international partners, has implemented a number of progressive policies that have enabled refugees to access education, healthcare, and social protection. The Kurdistan Region has been among the pioneers and innovators of this approach worldwide, despite the considerable financial burden it has placed on its economy.”
The UNHCR Representative said: “In Iraq, we at UNHCR, along with the tens of thousands of displaced persons and refugees who have benefited from these policies, owe a great debt of gratitude and appreciation to the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Recent developments in Syria have created new hope for these efforts. Despite the ongoing challenges, a number of refugees and internally displaced persons have begun returning to their homes and areas.
As circumstances change, we must do everything within our power to support those Syrian refugees who wish to return, ensuring that such returns are informed, voluntary, and carried out in conditions of safety and dignity.
Although our focus today is on refugees, we must not forget Iraqi internally displaced persons. Many people, especially the victims of the 2014 conflict, still remain in camps and are unable to return to their areas or find lasting solutions.
Real and sustained efforts are required to address internal displacement in Iraq in order to ensure sustainable reintegration, long-term peace, and a safe and dignified life for all.”
Toby Harward concluded his speech with these words and slogans: “In conclusion, I once again extend my deepest thanks to our government partners, national and international organizations, refugees, and host communities, who inspire and encourage us every day. Until everyone is safe, we must continue to act. Until everyone is safe, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with one another.”
Later, Musa Ahmad, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the success stories of camp residents, describing them as a success for the Kurdistan Regional Government, the people of the Kurdistan Region, and the Barzani Charity Foundation in managing the camps.
He stated that in 2013 and 2014, a massive wave of displaced persons and refugees arrived in the Kurdistan Region, placing a very heavy responsibility on the Kurdistan Regional Government, Kurdish society as a whole, and humanitarian organizations such as the Barzani Charity Foundation. However, President Barzani said: “They are our guests.”
Musa Ahmad stressed that World Refugee Day (June 20) carries a special meaning for the people of Kurdistan, particularly because they have set an example in serving displaced persons and refugees that the humanitarian world takes pride in. He said: “From the very first day the camps were established, people welcomed their brothers and sisters and came to the aid of displaced persons and refugees. More than 40 days passed before international agencies and organizations arrived. During that period, Peshmerga forces, civilians, teachers, and students welcomed these people. They had been displaced and had brought nothing with them.”
He reiterated that within a very short period, the population of the Kurdistan Region increased by 33 percent, which placed a heavy burden on the Kurdistan Regional Government, especially as it was facing the war against ISIS and various other crises. He said: “Unfortunately, the conditions in the camps are not favorable. Following the reduction in support from agencies and organizations, the heavy burden has now fallen on the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Barzani Charity Foundation.”
Musa Ahmad warmly congratulated all refugees and described World Refugee Day as an occasion to honor the millions of people who have been forced to leave their countries, homes, and homelands due to war, violence, or violations of human rights.
He noted that this day is an opportunity to remember the suffering and hardships endured by refugees, as well as to support their fundamental rights, such as the right to life, safety, education, and healthcare. Refugees are not merely numbers; each one has a unique story, dreams, hopes, and a future that requires opportunities and support.
At a time when the number of displaced persons and refugees around the world continues to rise, it is important that all societies and governments demonstrate greater cooperation and solidarity and work to ensure a decent and peaceful life for them. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the importance of supporting refugees and providing them with a dignified life as a humanitarian and international responsibility.
Later, Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Regional Government, stated in his speech that World Refugee Day is a day of remembrance and tribute to those people who were forced to leave their homelands and begin life far from home. He said: “Being a refugee is not easy, and many people in Kurdistan themselves, or their parents and grandparents, have experienced displacement and life away from their homeland.”
As he noted, “When millions of refugees and displaced persons came to the Kurdistan Region, the population of the Region increased significantly. This happened at a time when the Region was facing an economic crisis and simultaneously fighting against ISIS. However, the decision of the leadership of the Kurdistan Region was that its doors and hearts should remain open to refugees and displaced persons, and this was implemented in practice. The Kurdistan Region not only adopted a policy of coexistence and integration for refugees, but many of them became part of society, participating in the economy, education, and public life, and their talents and capabilities have contributed to the progress of society.”
He said: “Those children and young people who grew up in the camps are not merely guests; they are part of our society. First and foremost, we view them as human beings. The doors of the Kurdistan Region have been open to all components of Iraq, Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Christians, Muslims, Yazidis, Shiites, and Sunnis. All of them found safety here in times of fear and danger.”
Returning to one’s original homeland is the right of every individual, but such a return must take place under conditions of peace, security, access to services, and a decent life. The Kurdistan Region has never adopted a policy of forced return, and the decision rests with the people themselves. Those who wish to remain in the Kurdistan Region are welcomed wholeheartedly, and those who wish to return to their homes should be provided with the appropriate conditions and opportunities to do so.
Unfortunately, many people from Sinjar and the Nineveh Plain are still unable to return to their homes in a sustainable manner. The solution to this issue does not lie in migration and abandoning one’s homeland, but rather in ensuring dignity and a decent life for people in their own native areas.
Later, Reber Ahmed, Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government, welcomed the attendees and congratulated them on World Refugee Day. He stated: “On World Refugee Day, we do not only look at numbers and statistics, but we recall the courage and resilience of millions of people who, due to war, violence, and oppression, were forced to leave their homelands and look toward a future with hope for a peaceful life.”
The Kurdistan Region, for many years, has not only been a place of protection, but has become a real refuge for thousands of families; a place where they have found safety, human dignity, and a sense of belonging.
The Minister of Interior stressed that “this humanitarian culture was built through the wisdom and compassion of His Excellency President Masoud Barzani, when a historic decision was made that anyone seeking protection should not be turned away. Under this vision, the Kurdistan Region proudly hosted more than two and a half million refugees and internally displaced persons.”
He added that the Kurdistan Regional Government, under the leadership of the previous Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, used all its capacities and institutions to respond effectively to the humanitarian crisis.
He said: “This humanitarian approach continues today, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the Kurdistan Regional Government has moved from emergency response to the protection of dignity and the provision of sustainable solutions. Even in the most difficult economic circumstances, services in education, healthcare, and daily life for refugees and displaced persons have continued.”
He further noted: “In close partnership between the Kurdistan Regional Government and UNHCR, important steps have been taken to ensure legal protection and international rights for asylum seekers. Within this humanitarian system, the Barzani Charity Foundation plays a fundamental role, professionally and continuously managing and coordinating refugee and IDP camps. This model has gained international recognition for the Kurdistan Region.”
He added: “We must honestly acknowledge that the Kurdistan Region still carries a significant humanitarian burden, hosting nearly one million refugees and internally displaced persons. This responsibility has a major impact on schools, the healthcare system, public services, and infrastructure, especially at a time when international support is decreasing. Humanitarian responsibility is a shared responsibility and should not remain solely on the shoulders of host communities.”
The Minister also noted that the Kurdistan Regional Government has called on the Government of Iraq to prioritize addressing the issue of displacement. He said: “We call on the new Iraqi government to place the resolution of displacement at the top of its national priorities. Years after the tragedy of Sinjar, thousands of Iraqi citizens are still away from their homes, waiting for the day they can return in safety, dignity, and peace. It is time for serious steps to be taken and for the Sinjar Agreement to be fully implemented, because the people of Sinjar and all displaced Iraqis need real solutions, not just promises.”
He also addressed the international community, saying: “We also call on the international community and United Nations agencies to continue their support and invest in infrastructure and community resilience, because this time requires more cooperation and stronger partnerships.”
