SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Camp closures by the Iraqi government force tens of thousands of families back to their shattered homes in the country, as Baghdad continues to shut down all camps for displaced people.
AP reported that at least 34,000 people had been pushed out by the closure or consolidation of 11 formal camps since mid-October.
Expelled camp residents are left to live in wrecked homes or in tents, or drain savings renting in expensive urban sprawls, according to AP.
Another 26,000 people are still in the three remaining camps in Iraq slated for closure, the Associated Press said.
More than 180,000 other internally displaced people (IDPs) live in 25 other camps in the Kurdistan Region.
In October, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi formed a committee with the mandate to close nearly 17 camps, which houses at least 60,337 people.
Iraq’s cash-strapped government says accelerated closures of camps are needed to revive lagging reconstruction efforts.
Aid groups have warned that the rapid closures could leave tens of thousands of people homeless in winter months amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The United Nations has raised alarm, finding that 30% of returnees “are not in safe or dignified” housing since leaving camps.
Human Rights Watch said on December 2 that the federal government should not force camp residents out without ensuring they have alternative access to shelter, food, water, health care, and other basic services in a safe and secure environment.
Government officials say that by pushing IDPs to return, aid groups can shift from managing camps to assisting development.
“We need them to return to rebuild their towns and villages,” said Nineveh Governor Najm Jibouri. “Yes, they will suffer … But that doesn’t mean we should keep them in camps without a deadline.”
Hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes during the conflict in northern Iraq, which started in 2014 when Islamic State (ISIS) captured vast areas and imposed its own rule and ended in 2017 with the hardline Sunni Muslim group’s defeat by Iraqi forces backed by U.S. air power.
Cities, towns and villages – including Mosul, the capital of ISIS’ self-proclaimed caliphate – were left in ruins.
