US offers support for IDPs in Duhok's Sharya camp

Kurdistan 01:33 PM - 2021-06-05

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The United States Embassy in Iraq, on Saturday, issued a statement on Friday afternoon's massive fire in the Sharya camp for the Yazidi IDPs in Duhok governorate.

 

"The United States was saddened to learn of the fire at the Shariya IDP camp in Dohuk, which caused several injuries and destroyed hundreds of tents," The embassy said in a statement.

 

It added, "we are in touch with partners and colleagues on the ground at the camp, including UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, to offer our full support and to discuss the provision of additional assistance for emergency relief."

 

"The United States underscores the need for renewed efforts to find durable solutions to end displacement in Iraq that are voluntary, safe, and sustainable," the statement said.

 

The embassy added, "our thoughts are with the victims and their families at this difficult time."

 

On Friday afternoon, a massive fire broke out in the Sharya camp for the Yazidi IDPs in Duhok governorate, the fire destroyed more than 400 tents. read more

 

Journalist, Maysir Al-Adani told PUKmedia that more than 900 displaced people remained homeless and lost what they had collected during the past years as a result of the accident.

 

Sharya camp was prepared in 2014 for the Yazidis who were displaced to Duhok after ISIS invaded the Shingal district.

 

The ISIS attacks n the Yazidis in Iraq that began on 3 August 2014 resulted in thousands being killed: the United Nations estimates that 5,000 Yazidi men died in the massacre. Yazidi men who refused to convert to Islam were executed and dumped in mass graves; many boys were forced to become child soldiers.

 

An estimated 7,000 Yazidi women and girls, some as young as nine, were enslaved and forcibly transferred to locations in Iraq and eastern Syria. Held in sexual slavery, survivors reported being repeatedly sold, gifted, or passed around among ISIS fighters.

 

ISIS gained full control of one-third of Iraq till 2017 when Iraq announced regaining full control of the provinces of Nineveh, Anbar, and Saladin and parts of Kirkuk and Diyala. The terrorists lost their last stronghold in Syria in 2019.

 

 

 

PUKmedia