ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Charities have launched relief efforts in Sulaimani province’s Chamchamal district, where flash floods killed two people and damaged hundreds of homes. Aid groups are distributing essential supplies and helping residents clean and repair houses, officials said.
Atta Mohammed, head of a service and reconstruction commission formed for Chamchamal, said at a press conference that 1,700 food baskets, 3,200 blankets, 600 mattresses, 4,000 meters of carpet, 900 kerosene heaters, 2,000 kerosene containers, and 10,000 sets of drinking water have been distributed to 600 families. Charity organizations also helped with cleaning and repairing damaged homes.
According to Mohammed, the aid was provided by the Erbil-based Rwanga Foundation, Barzani Charity Foundation, Kurdistan Foundation, and Haji Idrees Surchi Charity Foundation, as well as the Sulaimani-based VIM Foundation, SEED Organization, Kurdistan Save the Children, Civil Development Organization (CDO), Iraqi Red Crescent Society, the Region’s migration and displaced directorate, and several other charities.
Flash floods swept through parts of the Kurdistan Region’s eastern Sulaimani province on Tuesday, damaging homes and infrastructure.
Hassan Shekh Aladin, executive director of the Rwanga Foundation, said they will continue working until 1,200 families receive full aid packages.
Residents described extensive damage to their homes and expressed gratitude for the support.
“We greatly appreciate every assistance to the people of this area. What these comrades [volunteers] have done today is a source of pride for us,” Ali Anwar told Rudaw, adding that “The crisis is very, very large.”
Mohammed also said that during the distribution, an altercation broke out when someone attempted to cut in line and “attacked a security officer.” The individual was removed, “but a relative came with a weapon and in that chaos fired at the security forces, as a result of which three security personnel were injured.”
One suffered serious injuries and his “condition is not good,” he added.
Deputy Governor of Sulaimani Shaho Othman said “much of the work” of assessing damage has been completed by the local committee, which will submit a report to the Kurdistan Region’s deputy prime minister’s office.
Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani visited Chamchamal on Wednesday and announced the formation of a humanitarian response unit to provide immediate aid, coordinate relief efforts, and restore services. He also established an investigation committee to examine potential negligence and prevent future disasters.
The Kurdistan Region and several parts of Iraq experienced three consecutive days of heavy rainfall beginning Monday, triggering severe flash floods.
Iraq’s health ministry reported Thursday that floods have killed nine people across the country, including three in the Kurdistan Region - two in Chamchamal and one in Kalar. Victims died by electrocution, collapsing walls, or being swept away by floodwaters. More than a dozen others were injured, and one person remains missing in Sulaimani province.
Kalar and Chamchamal were among the hardest-hit districts.
The Kurdistan Region’s meteorology department said additional rainfall is expected on Friday and Saturday, though less intense than earlier in the week.
Peshawa Bakhtiyar contributed to this report from Chamchamal.