KRG greenlights winter kerosene distribution

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government has approved the launch of this year’s subsidized kerosene distribution, the Ministry of Natural Resources said Monday, confirming that households will begin receiving heating fuel for the 2025–2026 winter season.

In a statement dated Oct. 13, the ministry said distribution will be conducted through its oil and minerals directorates in governorates and autonomous administrations. Each household will receive 200 liters of kerosene at a subsidized rate of 103,500 dinars (approximately $73.40), contingent on holding a valid government-issued fuel card and a current household registration form.

The program will begin in higher-altitude regions, including the mountainous areas of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, and Duhok governorates, along with the autonomous administrations of Soran, Raparin, Garmian, and Zakho. Residents must collect their share in person at assigned fuel stations within the announced timeframe, bringing with them an official “purchase form,” a government ID, and a color copy for verification, officials said.

The regional fuel distribution effort coincides with similar initiatives by Iraq’s federal government to offset heating costs for families during colder months. In remote areas where winters are especially severe, distribution typically starts earlier to meet demand. Many households in these regions also continue to rely on firewood from nearby forests to stay warm.

Authorities said allocations are based on entries in Iraq’s national food ration system, a public welfare initiative introduced in the 1990s during wartime sanctions. Known as the “ration card,” the system entitles registered households to monthly supplies of staple foods including flour, rice, sugar, and cooking oil. The same registration data is now used to coordinate fuel distribution.