Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Amin Awad, UNHCR Director for the Middle East and North Africa Bureau and Regional Refugee Coordinator, and his accompanying delegation.

Mr. Amin commended the people and government of Iraqi Kurdistan in hosting and assisting an extraordinary number of people forcibly displaced by the ISIS onslaught and fleeing hostilities in the war to liberate Mosul.

Mr. Amin informed that UNHCR is developing a mechanism, in consultation with the KRG, to assist IDPs to return to their homes. In upcoming conferences they will promote the KRG being supported by the international community.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed appreciation to the UNHCR for its support to Iraqi Kurdistan. He affirmed that under current circumstances the KRG is not in a position to satisfactorily support such a high number of displaced people. He urged UNHCR to seek and provide adequate assistance.

Regarding the return of the IDPs to their place of origin, Prime Minister Barzani stated that stability, security and basic services should be offered for the IDPs to be able to return to their homes.

The situation of IDPs and refugees in the region in general and assistance programmes were also discussed in the meeting.