The Permanent Representative of Iraq in Geneva Meets with Regional Director of the UNHCR

The Permanent Representative of Iraq in Geneva Ambassador Dr. Hussein Al-Khatib met in his office at the headquarters of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Iraq in Geneva with Mr. Ayman Gharaibeh, the new regional director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the Middle East and North Africa, and the two sides discussed improving the prospects for joint cooperation between UNHCR and Iraq in providing humanitarian support to the specified social segments, and finding durable solutions to them.

The Ambassador indicated that the Iraqi government highly appreciates the efforts made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the governorates of Iraq, the importance of projects agreed upon between the two sides with the need to start implementing them after taking strides in preparing for them, and cooperating to remove obstacles to implementation, expressing the interest of the Iraqi government for the voluntary return of the displaced, by finding the sustainable solutions of providing a conducive environment that encourages their return, and the role of the humanitarian response plans in achieving this.

The permanent representative highlighted the important role of the international community in supporting and implementing reconstruction programs, the stability of liberated cities from Da’esh terrorist organisation, the effectiveness of cooperation with government agencies in providing humanitarian assistance to the displaced, projects to strengthen human capacities, and the need for joint action between the Iraqi government and the international community including humanitarian organizations, in accordance with the principle of burden sharing and responsibilities.