But many Yazidis no longer have a homeland to which they can return

“My name is Zeri. It pains me greatly when I see the empty tents next door. Many families have already returned to their homes, but I don’t even have a piece of land to return to. My husband and I have been here for eleven years since we fled Shingal , with no hope of seeing our homeland again.”

Since the pogrom by IS terrorists against the Yazidi religious community in August 2014, ISHR speaker Khalil Al- Rasho has been to Iraq over 25 times for several weeks at a time, and each mission includes discussions with the camp residents.

Zeri sits at her work table with her sewing machine – both provided by the ISHR © SHR/Kh. Al- Rasho

Zeri, a Yazidi woman, explained that she, like her husband, had undergone several operations for cancer and other illnesses, which had depleted all their savings. They had to go to hospitals almost daily for treatment and couldn’t afford the medication.

“I was deeply touched and spontaneously gave her 150,000 Iraqi dinars (about 100 euros). She was overjoyed and wanted to thank me, but tears choked her voice,” Al- Rasho reported after his return in early October.

“As we were saying goodbye, she walked me to the door and said something I will never forget: ‘Without people like you who do good, I would already be buried.’”

It is legitimate that refugee camps are being closed after such a long time, but this must not lead to the neglect of the camps and their residents. The ISHR will continue to assist those in need through training programmes, financial and humanitarian support, and by engaging with local and regional authorities to ensure they take responsibility for protecting refugees rather than leaving them to their fate. These efforts strengthen the resilience and dignity of affected communities while fostering cooperation grounded in shared human values. The next ISHR mission in Iraq is planned for December, with an estimated operational cost of approximately 5,000 Euro. Through these initiatives, ISHR continues its commitment to promoting human rights and offering tangible support to people in crisis situations.