Iraqi activist: Closing displacement file requires sustainable returns, not just camp closures

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A legal activist said Iraq cannot declare its internal displacement file closed merely because camps have shut and fewer families remain displaced. Ömer Faruk, a legal activist, said Tuesday that while the government has made clear progress by closing numerous camps and simplifying return procedures in recent years, the file can only be fully closed once the core challenges facing returnees are resolved. Faruk said those challenges begin with housing, employment, public services and compensation for those who suffered damage. He called for accelerating compensation payments, rebuilding infrastructure in liberated areas, repairing schools and health centers, and renewing water and electricity networks. Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises would provide returning families with a lasting source of income, Faruk said, adding that social reconciliation programs should be strengthened and the psychological effects of displacement addressed. He said the file can only be considered truly closed once returning families reintegrate into their local communities and live safely without depending on emergency aid.