Erbil Governor Receives a Delegation from the Indigenous ministries Organization

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Omed Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, welcomed Dee A. Cook, Executive Director of the non-profit organisation Indigenous Ministries, and an accompanying delegation, at the Governorate's office. This organization is an international relief organization with offices in several countries, providing assistance to children and displaced persons.
 

During the meeting, which was attended by the Director of Crisis Management and the Director of Provincial Relations, the Governor of Erbil welcomed the delegation and highly praised the organization's past work in Erbil Governorate, wishing them success in their future endeavors.
 

Discussions then focused on the general situation in the region and joint projects between the two sides to provide aid and assistance, and to serve children, women, displaced persons, and refugees, as well as providing necessary supplies for the camps.

For this purpose, both sides emphasized further coordination and cooperation.

Later, the Governor of Erbil outlined the needs that should be provided to the displaced persons' camps. He clarified that since 2014, a large number of displaced persons and refugees sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region, and a significant number of them still remain. The Iraqi government, instead of supporting and assisting the Region, cut its budget, making our burden heavier. Despite this, the people and government of the Kurdistan Region have provided the best services to the displaced and refugees.

He also requested the organization, in coordination with the Erbil Governorate Crisis Management, to have joint projects for serving the displaced persons and refugees residing in the camps, as most organizations have significantly reduced their aid. He also emphasized that there are great efforts to facilitate the return of the displaced, but the conditions for their return must be favorable.
The policy of the Kurdistan Regional Government is in no way for forced return of the displaced and supports the dignified and voluntary return of displaced persons and refugees, and does not pressure any of them to stay or leave.
 

Finally, the guest delegation highly thanked the Governor of Erbil for the welcome and expressed their readiness for all cooperation and support to Erbil Governorate.