ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has issued a directive to assist victims of the recent floods in Duhok’s Akre and Shekhan districts, Governor Ali Tatar said on Monday.

“On the directive of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, every victim in Akre and Sheikhan will be assisted according to the extent of damage they sustained,” Tatar told The New Region.

Heavy flooding struck the Shorsh neighborhood of Akre and the Shekhan district for two days, with water entering more than 20 homes, including 13 that sustained severe damage, including the loss of personal belongings, according to the civil defense of both districts.

“The 12 cars that were damaged will also receive assistance,” the governor added.

Additionally, Tatar expressed concern that Iraq has yet to assist victims of natural disasters in the Kurdistan Region. 

According to the Iraqi constitutional provisions and federal budget law, affected areas in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are entitled to compensation from the emergency budget during natural disasters.

Furthermore, part of Shekhan district is administratively run by the Iraqi federal government.

The Kurdistan Region has seen major floods this winter season, with heavy rainfall in December resulting in several flash floods of varying degrees in Sulaimani, Erbil, and Duhok.

Sulaimani’s Chamchamal district was most heavily hit by the floods, which caused a total blackout as authorities scrambled to assist residents, killing two people.

At least 500 homes in Chamchamal and several others in the province were damaged, and more than 100 shops, five government offices, and the Chamchamal Library were flooded.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) formed compensation committees in affected areas to assess damages and support victims. The premier also directed authorities to support relief efforts.