ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region’s eastern provinces of Halabja and Sulaimani will forgo their annual New Year celebrations this year, in a show of solidarity with victims of the recent devastating floods, officials confirmed Sunday.
In a statement on Facebook, Sulaimani Governor Haval Abubakir announced that “no official ceremonies or festivities will be held” in the province, adding that “all necessary administrative, security, and service measures are in place” to protect citizens during the occasion.
He explained that the decision reflects solidarity with families affected by “the tragic disasters and events that occurred in Chamchamal district and the Garmiyan administration,” west and south of Sulaimani respectively, “which caused fatalities, injuries, and extensive damage.”
The move “is intended to show our support and express our solidarity with everyone affected,” Abubakir added.
Similarly, Halabja Mayor Simko Salih told Rudaw on Saturday that Halabja will also skip this year’s New Year celebrations out of respect for the magnitude of the tragedy.
“We have decided that no official celebrations will take place in our province due to the tragic flood events,” he said, adding that private celebrations by citizens and businesses will continue as usual.
“We cannot prevent people from celebrating of course, but as the Halabja administration, we will not host any activities or festivities,” he added.
In early December, the Kurdistan Region and parts of Iraq were hit by three consecutive days of heavy rainfall, triggering severe flash floods across several areas.
According to a report from the Kurdistan Region’s Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC), at least five people were killed, 19 others injured, and 2,225 homes damaged across the Region and Kirkuk province.
Chamchamal district was the hardest-hit area, with two fatalities and 12 injuries reported. The JCC said approximately 1,607 homes were damaged, along with 200 vehicles, while 115 shops and workplaces and around 450 projects were also affected in the district.
In response to the disaster, the Chamchamal Relief and Reconstruction Commission was established to oversee relief efforts, amid an outpouring of public support and donations from across the Kurdistan Region.
On Thursday, the commission announced the launch of a new website allowing the public to track, in real time, the funds collected for victims of the recent heavy rains and flooding.
As of the time of writing, more than 11.4 billion Iraqi dinars - over $8.7 million - had been raised, with fundraising efforts ongoing.
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