Mohammed Al Hassan told the Security Council that the lasting effects of decades of conflict continue to produce "dire and persisting humanitarian needs," including what he described as "about 1,000,000 Iraqis remaining internally displaced." He highlighted more than 100,000 predominantly Yazidis from Sinjar who, he said, after 11 years still live in displacement camps under precarious conditions.
The envoy renewed his call for adoption of a comprehensive national plan to implement durable solutions linking humanitarian support with long-term development, housing, livelihoods, social protection and community reconciliation. He also stressed the need for adequate resources to ensure dignified and sustainable reintegration for those returning from northeast Syria, reporting approximately 20,800 people have returned to Iraq to date.
Al Hassan condemned recent attacks on Iraqi facilities and infrastructure, citing most recent attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Kurdistan region and saying: "This has to stop, and those responsible must be brought to justice." He also referenced the pending transfer of the mandate on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing property, noting more than 300 persons remain missing and urging renewed efforts to close these files.