Background on the Suspension of Camp Closures
The Iraqi government’s recent decision to close IDP camps has been suspended following negotiations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government. This move, deemed unfounded by the KRG, was initially made without consulting the KRG or the IDPs, particularly those from Sinjar.
Pir Dayan Jaafar, Director of Immigration and IDPs, stated that the decision to return IDPs was made unilaterally by the Iraqi government, which led to the suspension of camp closures. He expressed optimism for a more coordinated mechanism to facilitate the return of IDPs in the future. Consequently, the camps will remain operational for the time being.
The Iraqi Ministry of Migration and IDPs had previously announced plans to close all camps by July 31, 2024, offering returning IDPs four million dinars and some household items as an incentive. Currently, there are 15 camps in Duhok and Zakho, with 95% of their residents hailing from Sinjar.
The camps house IDPs primarily from Sinjar, a region that suffered a catastrophic attack by ISIS on August 3, 2014. The attack resulted in the massacre and displacement of a large number of Yazidi Kurds. Hundreds were arrested, and the fate of over 2,000 people remains unknown to this day. This tragic event has left a lasting impact on the Yazidi community, many of whom now reside in these camps, still awaiting the possibility of a safe return to their homes.