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Strenuous measures taken in Anbar for returning IDPs

BAGHDAD, July 24 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi government launched a wide-scale campaign to rebuild Fallujah city and its facilities after it had been liberated from the so-called Islamic State (IS), with the aim of retuning internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.
More than 85,000 people have fled Fallujah and the surrounding areas since launching military operations by the Iraqi government aimed to liberate the city from the IS on May 23, according to a survey by the UN World Food Program. Most of them are staying at refugee camps.
In a statement to KUNA on Sunday, the governor of Anbar Suhaib Al-Rawi said a subcommittee was formed upon the directives of Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi to accelerate the return of the displaced people to their homes in Fallujah as soon as possible.
He said the committee, which is chaired by Saadoun Al-Shaalan, includes representatives from Anbar operations command, police command, National Security Apparatus in Fallujah, and defense intelligence.
Al-Shaalan said the stability in the city will be restored easier than that of Ramadi as the IS failed to destroy homes and government institutions.
The reoperation of drinking water facilities is a major challenge in Fallujah, he said, noting that some electricity plants will resume work in the city until the rehabilitation the rest of plants.
All displaced people will return to the city by next September, he expected.
Meanwhile, Anbar police chief Maj. Gen. Hadi Rozeig said the Fallujah police directorate, civil defense center and other facilities there were re-opened.
He noted that the security file in the province is still co-managed by forces from army, police and the popular mobilization. (end) ahh.hm