Iraq Closes 85% of Refugee Camps Amid Improved Security

The Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration has announced the closure of 144 out of 170 refugee camps across the country. Deputy Minister Karim al-Nouri, in a statement, highlighted that only 26 camps remain, predominantly in the semiautonomous Kurdistan region. Most of the displaced persons in these camps hail from Sinjar, a town 120 km west of Mosul in Nineveh province, where several armed groups vie for control.

Al-Nouri emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the displacement crisis, despite the considerable challenges. The goal is to eliminate the need for refugee camps in Iraq. This move comes as the country witnesses improved security following the defeat of IS militants in 2017.

However, the return of displaced persons to their homes remains hindered by insecurity, lack of livelihood opportunities, and damaged or destroyed homes. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 1 million people are still displaced within Iraq.