President Barzani Meets UNHCR Commissioner and WFP Director
Mr. Gutteres was accompanied by a number of UNHCR officials from the region as well as Ms. Ertharin Cousin, the Executive Director of the World Food Program. This high-level international delegation’s visit to the Kurdistan Region was in response to the recent influx of Syrian refugees into the Kurdistan Region, whose number has reached over 200,000 refugees.
Both Mr. Gutteres and Ms. Cousin expressed their gratitude for the Kurdistan Region’s efforts, initially to help with the resettlement of the refugees with their own resources and with the help of the people of the Kurdistan Region, and later in coordination with the United Nations. The delegation presented to the President some of the details of their plans to assist the refugees, including offering food vouchers for all new refugees to the Kurdistan Region.
President Barzani warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his willingness to continue provide the same services for the refugees from Syria. The President went on to say that the support of the people of the Kurdistan Region to these refugees was indeed inspirational and highly appreciated.
The meeting concluded with President Barzani, UNHCR Commissioner and WFP Executive Director agreeing to continued cooperation with the necessary humanitarian aid to the refugees from Syria, while wishing for the political situation to be resolved.
