Governor of Erbil: “under the order of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, we announce the Erbil Campaign to help the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria”
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw on the announcement of the campaign to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which caused injuries in addition to material damage, he announced in a press conference for the channels: “In the meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Prime Minister, decided to launch a massive campaign to collect aid for the victims of Turkey, Syria, North Kurdistan and East Kurdistan, after it was decided at the meeting to give the authority to the heads of different governorates and officials to announce the campaign in their respective areas.”
He added : “we held a meeting in the governor's office with the deputy governor and the Erbil Central Mayor and the Director of Crisis Response and Coordination of Erbil Governorate and discussions with other relevant departments, we are now announcing the Erbil Campaign through the media as the Kurdistan Regional Government under the order of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, hope that the people of Erbil, who are always generous and kind, can help the victims humanely, we hope to help the victims. Fortunately, the Kurdistan Region was the first place among all countries after the disaster that occurred, the first humanitarian convoy crossed the border and are now at the site of the disaster and are at the service of the victims.”
In this context, the governor of Erbil said, taking the necessary measures to deliver aid and dealing with two countries, which requires legal measures, and require the Kurdistan Regional Government to coordinate with these countries to provide assistance, the Minister of Interior held a meeting with the crisis center and measures have been taken, we are now announcing the Erbil campaign and have made several decisions:-
First, all the district Mayors were authorized to expand our campaign in Erbil governorate and not only cover the city center, so they were authorized to announce a new campaign in the districts and after collecting the aid will be collected in the crisis center.
Secondly, tents will be set up in front of Shanadar Park in the city center from tomorrow and citizens can deliver their aid there.
Third, many citizens, donors and companies may send their donations in cash, so they can send them through the special account number of Minara Bank (508).
Fourth, we will discuss with the Erbil Endowments and Religious Affairs Directorate and the Union of Islamic Religious Scholars from the perspective of religious leaders who have always played an influential role in this regard, they should be part of the process of encouraging humanitarian work through religious sermons to support this campaign.
Fifth, this is a humanitarian act, it has nothing to do with any political force or party. Since yesterday, many people have expressed their willingness to cooperate, therefore, any person, party or force that wants to participate in these humanitarian processes must be under the umbrella of the Kurdistan Regional Government, because as we emphasized, It is an interaction with two countries, which means that it has its own legal procedures, that is, even if it is facilitated here, it is not necessarily permissible within the borders of these countries.
The governor said: “The prime minister informed the cabinet and all procedures were discussed with Turkey for the delivery of aid, the necessary measures and actions also have been taken from Turkey to western Syria, therefore, we ask that this issue not be misguided and politicized, because this is only the humanitarian act of the Kurdistan people and has nothing to do with political parties, the campaign of the Kurdistan government and the campaign of the Kurdistan people, we hope that aid will be collected for the victims of this disaster”.
He also said: “We thank the companies, the private sector and the donors that since yesterday they themselves contact us to determine the way to deliver their aid, and now we announce to those who can deliver their aid through this campaign.”
Finally, he called on the people of Erbil, who are always known for their generosity, to play their role and to work together and support the campaign to deliver their aid to the victims of the disaster.