An embargo has been imposed by the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) on the Makhmour (Mexmur) refugee camp in Iraqi Kurdistan since 17 July 2019. The people of Makhmour, who live under poor conditions, are not allowed to leave the camp even for urgent needs such as medical treatment.
Due to the KDP’s embargo, eight pregnant women have lost their babies during childbirth so far. Dozens of seriously ill patients are not allowed to go to Erbil (Hewler) for treatment.
In the latest incident, a pregnant woman called Kewê Pîran demanded to go to Erbil hospital, but was rejected at the KDP’s check point despite her paperwork. Her baby died during childbirth.
“I lost two babies because of the embargo on the camp,” she said. “The only reason for this is the KDP, which prevents us. My blood pressure increased 12 days before my birth. My baby died in my womb. I went to Qerecox for three days. They did not let me to go to Erbil.”
