Residents use ropes to help one another cross floodwaters in Chamchamal district following heavy rainfall.
Chamchamal officials step down after floods as KRG pledges compensation
SULAYMANIYAH — Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani said Sunday that several senior officials in Chamchamal have stepped down following the district’s devastating floods, with the regional government accepting their requests as authorities move to replace local leadership and press ahead with recovery and compensation efforts.
Speaking at a news conference in Chamchamal, Talabani said Ramak Ramazan, the district commissioner of Chamchamal, Aram Najat, the mayor of Chamchamal, Burhan Amin, the mayor of Shorish subdistrict, and Abdullah Hama Kaka, the director of education in Chamchamal, resigned and had their resignations accepted.
Talabani said the director of Shorish subdistrict did not submit a resignation request, but an investigation committee found the official had shown negligence and said steps would be taken to address the matter.
Talabani said the regional government is seeking replacements to fill the vacant posts. “We are looking for other people to fill these positions,” he said. “We must act with conscience, and we cannot nullify years of service of these individuals. They themselves felt responsibility and requested to step aside, and it is not unlikely they may assume other posts in the future.”
He announced the findings of an investigation committee formed after the flooding, saying the flood itself was natural but that some of the damage could have been reduced. He said the committee found that 1,258 homes were damaged.
“I have confidence in the results of the investigation, and as deputy prime minister, I am present here,” Talabani said.
He said the Kurdistan Regional Government is moving ahead with recovery and compensation efforts. “The regional government is participating in the reconstruction of Chamchamal. We have opened two bank accounts, formed an investigation committee, and we want the work to be organized so that the result is that all those affected are compensated,” Talabani said.
Chamchamal and surrounding areas were hit by heavy rainfall earlier this week, causing widespread flooding, deaths, injuries and extensive damage to homes, roads and water infrastructure. The disaster has also prompted fundraising campaigns across the Kurdistan Region to support affected families.