France takes in 28 Yazidi families who have been victims of Daesh – Communiqué (22 May 2019)

Today, Wednesday 22 May 2019, France is taking in 28 Yazidi women who have been victims of Daesh, accompanied by their children. A flight from Erbil, arranged by the International Organization for Migration and paid for by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will land at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport late today.

This new group is being received following a first operation, which the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs coordinated in conjunction with the services of the Ministry of the Interior, enabling 16 families to be taken in on 19 December 2018. It fulfils the commitment the President made to Ms Nadia Murad, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 2018, for France to take in 100 Yazidi families who have been victims of crimes committed by Daesh.

Various French departments are receiving these women, who particularly suffered from the terrorist organization’s atrocities. With the support of various state services, France is ensuring their protection, safety, education and medico-social support.

This initiative is consistent with France’s renewed desire to put in place, in conjunction with the Iraqi authorities, facilities for receiving victims of ethnic and religious violence in the Middle East. At the same time, France is taking action with these people in Iraq to restore favourable living conditions there and help rebuild the territories liberated from the grip of Daesh.