The Kurdish regional government will need US$1.4 billion this year to stabilise its economy after its annual economic growth rate fell 5 percentage points, primarily because of the inflow of Syrian refugees in light of the ISIL conflict, a World Bank report showed yesterday.
"As a result of the Syrian conflict and the ISIL crisis, KRI's [Kurdistan Region of Iraq] population increased by 28 per cent placing strains on the local economy, host community, and access to public services," wrote Ali Sindi, the KRG planning minister, in the report titled Economic and Social Impact Assessment of the Syrian Conflict and Isis Crisis.
It highlighted how prices and unemployment rates have escalated in Iraqi Kurdistan from refugees entering the labour market. The influx of the new labourers has pushed wages down.
In addition, the flow of foreign direct investment has decreased in the region, causing an adverse impact on Kurdistan’s economy.
“While our government has allocated significant resources – through the immediate response plan – to accommodate the needs of the displaced population, it cannot address this big-scale humanitarian crisis on its own,” Mr Sindi said.
The report added that the poverty rate in Kurdistan more than doubled last year to 8.1 per cent from 3.5 per cent.
Mr Sindi called for greater support from the national and international partners to overcome the humanitarian crisis.
The rapid advancement in ISIL last year caused chaos in Syria and northern Iraq, pushing the United States and its allies to lead air strikes against the group.
Last year, about two million Iraqis fled the conflict in the northern and western parts of the country. Some took refuge in Baghdad and others in the southern parts of the country.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Thomas Whilley, Tori Ellen Ross, Jack Lowden, Olivia Bernstone, Elroy Powell
Four stars
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SPECS
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Company%20profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Jebel Ali card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
The National selections
1.45pm: Cosmic Glow
2.15pm: Karaginsky
2.45pm: Welcome Surprise
3.15pm: Taamol
3.45pm: Rayig
4.15pm: Chiefdom
4.45pm: California Jumbo
The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
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Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai