Economic Updates – Baghdad
Current Status of Displaced Iraqi Families
The Ministry of Immigration and Displacement has reported that approximately 23,000 Iraqi families remain displaced across the camps located in the Duhok and Erbil governorates within the Kurdistan Region.
Government Initiatives to Facilitate Return
On January 23, 2024, the Council of Ministers unveiled several decisions aimed at encouraging the return of displaced families. These measures include:
- Providing four million dinars to each family
- Creating job opportunities within both public and private sectors
- Coordinating with the Kurdistan Regional Government to facilitate voluntary returns
- Distributing monthly social security salaries for low-income individuals
- Offering interest-free bank loans
Facilitating the Return Process
The ministry’s spokesperson, Ali Abbas, stated, “We have opened the door for any displaced individual wishing to return to their area, and we are actively facilitating this process.”
Ali Abbas noted that while there are returns to original areas, the numbers are currently modest. He anticipates an increase in these returns coinciding with the approach of the summer vacation and the conclusion of the academic year.
He also clarified that the estimated number of families still residing in the camps in Erbil and Duhok remains at around 23,000, while camps in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate have already been closed.
Challenges in Compensation
The Ministry of Immigration and Displacement previously indicated that compensation for returning displaced families has been delayed due to insufficient budget allocations.
Returning Lebanese Refugees
In terms of Lebanese individuals who sought refuge in Iraq amid the conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel, Ali Abbas highlighted that “the majority of Lebanese have returned to their homeland, with only a small number remaining in the Baghdad, Karbala, and Najaf governorates.”
After the escalation of hostilities in southern Lebanon, the Ministry of Immigration and Displacement implemented a system to accept displaced Lebanese in designated batches, following a directive from the Prime Minister that allows for seamless entry into Iraq.
The Prime Minister also established the High Displacement Committee, comprising representatives from security and service ministries, to oversee the reception of displaced persons at the Al-Qa’im port. This initiative aims to ensure proper documentation upon entry, along with immediate services and logistical support, ultimately facilitating their relocation based on the committee’s distribution plan.
Initial challenges arose during the setup of this reception mechanism, stemming from inadequate preparatory measures. Consequently, the accommodation committee opted to allocate remaining refugees to Karbala and Najaf, regions well-equipped to manage large influxes due to their historical capacity to cater to millions of visitors during religious events.
For further economic updates, subscribe to our channel on Telegram
