H.E. Reber Ahmed, Minister of Interior received a high-level delegation from Germany’s Ministry of Interior and THW and German Consulate General, consisted of Mr. René du Bois, from the Directorate General for Crisis Management and Civil Protection, Mr. Gerd Friedsam- THW vice president and Mr. Klaus Buchmüller- Head of International Division in THW. Steven Krospi, acting consul general of Germany in Erbil, Mr. Daniel McKurkmak, Head of Cooperation Development at the German Consulate and Hoshang Mohamed, Director General of the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC) were present in the meeting.
Minister Reber warmly welcomed the delegation and on behalf of the government and the people of the Kurdistan Region extended thanks and appreciation for the government and people of Germany for continued military, humanitarian and technical support and cooperation with the Kurdistan Region during the past five years. He also praised the role of THW and German Consulate staff for their assistance and coordination.
Mr. Reber briefed the delegation about the current humanitarian and security situation as well as the influx of IDPs and refugees, particularly the newly arriving refugees from Syria, to the Kurdistan Region and their needs and the KRG’s policies in that regards, stating that the KRG will welcome all refugees without discrimination and we will spare no effort to reducing the suffering of refugees and providing them with basic services, and while the Kurdistan Region is still has not fully recovered from the financial crisis, Germany’s support and assistance is very much needed to enable us continuing our assistance to the refugees.
Minister Reber also thanked THW’s cooperation and coordination with the JCC, and expressed his support for the collaboration between the two agencies, stating that the Ministry will try its best to strengthen the JCC to be able to prepare ourselves for any human-made or natural disasters.
Mr. René du Bois, from the Directorate General for Crisis Management and Civil Protection, on behalf of the delegation thanked Minister of Interior and expressed his gratitude for the collaboration and work with the Ministry of Interior, particularly with the JCC and said that big projects have been implemented successfully and more projects will continue.
Then, Mr. Gerd Friedsam- THW vice president stated that they are pleased with the work they are doing with the JCC. the partnership between both sides has been built on a solid foundation which is important for the success of the programs which is trust and shared objectives.
In the end, both sides exchanged views on the current humanitarian and security situation and the needs of refugees and the mechanism for enhancing the cooperation and collaboration between both agencies.
