Head of KRSC receives Swiss humanitarian delegation

The Chancellor and Head of Kurdistan Region Security Council Masrour Barzani received Switzerland-based humanitarian delegation led by Reverend Stephan Stopp and consisted of a number of politicians and reporters for talks on aid commitments and the current situation in northern Iraq.

Rev Stopp expressed his thanks to Mr Barzani for the meeting and explained how his visit to Kurdistan has given him an opportunity to observe the humanitarian issue where internally displaced people and growing number of political refugees have taken shelter in the region, adding praise to the Barzani Foundation for welcoming the IDPs.

Mr Barzani said the region appreciates the international aid for its resources and that the Barzani Foundation is available for those in need and its goals are to expand its activities outside of Kurdistan, as a "global charity". Speaking on the issue of refugees, he also said the foundation is in cooperation with the newly established American University in Duhok to operate facilities to a wider network of people.

He later emphasised the coexistence of different political and religious sects in Kurdistan, embracing the KRG for hosting approximately two million displaced people amid the financial crisis affecting the entire region. Mr Barzani said, "We are all victims of injustice and oppression but we will continue to live with pride in maintaining the coexistence we have adopted,"

The meeting concluded with Mr Barzani commenting on the "peaceful manner" that the Kurds have tolerated, and recalled on previous events where they have reacted positively on dealing with domestic issues.

For their part, the Swiss delegation thanked Mr Barzani and the KRG for handling the issues promptly and conveyed their delight at visiting the Kurdistan region. The meeting was also attended by the KRG Representative in Switzerland, Mr Fawzi Qadwr.