Over 100 Iraqi Families to Leave Syria's al-Hol Camp, Continuing Repatriation Efforts
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has reported that preparations are underway for more than 100 Iraqi families to leave Syria's al-Hol Camp, a facility housing thousands of Iraqi, Syrian, and foreign nationals. This follows a similar repatriation effort in September, when nearly 150 Iraqi families, comprising 600 individuals, were successfully returned to Iraq.
Iraqi citizens make up approximately half of the population at the al-Hol camp, with children constituting the largest segment of the Iraqi contingent. Mehmet Balci, Co-Director at Fight For Humanity, a Switzerland-based international NGO, emphasized the urgent need to address the conditions within the camp and ensure the welfare of its inhabitants.
Recent discussions during the seventh ambassadors conference in Baghdad shed light on the dire situation at al-Hol. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, along with other officials, deliberated on methods to improve the living conditions in the camp, underscoring the government's commitment to the well-being of its citizens.
During the conference, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji announced that a total of 1,567 Iraqi families have been successfully repatriated from the al-Hol camp thus far, signifying ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of displaced families to their home country.
The repatriation process is a crucial step in alleviating the humanitarian challenges faced by those residing in al-Hol. It aims to provide a safer and more stable environment for families who have endured hardship and uncertainty. As these efforts continue, authorities and humanitarian organizations alike are working tirelessly to ensure the well-being and security of all individuals affected by the ongoing crisis.