This rising number of displaced Iraqi Christians seeking refuge in the country’s north was recently highlighted by the International Organization for Migration.
A report compiled by the organisation shows that an estimated 1,078 Christian families have fled to Kurdistan, the autonomous region governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government, within the past three months. Of that total, 747 have left their homes since Dec. 15, while another 276 families were displaced to the nearby northwest province of Ninewah during this period. Many other Christian families have expressed the desire to flee due to the insecurity of their position.
The report further revealed that many others have sought refuge in nearby countries, particularly in Turkey.
“Our monitors do report though that they are hearing of many emigrations abroad, and many more who hope to emigrate in the future,” IOM Displacement Monitoring Officer Keegan de Lancie said in an interview with Agence France-Presse. “Colleagues in Turkey have reported a spike in Christian families seeking refuge there.”
This movement of Christians to the north has escalated despite efforts by Iraqi security forces to institute more effective protective measures for the minority group. However, attacks like the Oct. 31 attack at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad have generated great fear among local Christians.
The IOM has partnered with different organizations including UNICEF, to provide non-food items such as mattresses, stoves and hygiene kits to nearly 600 displaced Christian families trying to settle in the northern governorates of Erbil, Dahuk, Sulaymaniyah and Ninewa.