Kurdistan
A man cleans his flood-damaged home in Chamchamal district, western Sulaimani province, on December 11, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A new website has been launched to allow people to track - in real time - the funds collected for victims of recent heavy rains and flooding in the Chamchamal district of the Kurdistan Region’s eastern Sulaimani province, the commission leading the relief efforts told Rudaw. More than $8.1 million has already been deposited, with fundraising still ongoing.
The Chamchamal Relief and Reconstruction Commission launched the website under the name Hawkary Kurdana - “Kurdish Aid” in Kurdish - and said in a statement that it has been activated to “ensure the utmost transparency” and is available 24 hours a day.
Ata Mohammed, head of the commission and chief of staff to Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, said on Wednesday that “everyone can use the link https://hawkary-kurdana.com/ to see how much aid has been deposited into the bank accounts.”
“The website is currently active, and more than 7 billion Iraqi dinars [over $5.3 million] have already been deposited,” Mohammed added.
The Kurdistan Region and parts of Iraq experienced three consecutive days of heavy rainfall last week, resulting in severe flash floods. A preliminary report from the Kurdistan Region’s Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC) indicated at least five fatalities, 19 injuries, and damage to 2,225 homes across the region and Kirkuk province.
Chamchamal district, in western Sulaimani province, was the hardest-hit area, with two people killed and 12 others injured. According to the JCC, around 1,607 homes were damaged, 200 vehicles destroyed, 115 shops and workplaces affected, and 450 projects impacted.
A large share of the donations - exceeding 7 billion dinars (around $5.3 million) - was raised through Rudaw’s flagship program Lagal Ranj - “With Ranj” in Kurdish - presented by renowned Kurdish media personality and Rudaw’s lead presenter Ranj Sangawi, who launched the fundraising campaign on Sunday.
Opening the broadcast, Sangawi told viewers, “Today’s program is not With Ranj, but rather With the People.”
As of Thursday, over $8.1 million - primarily donated by Kurdish businessmen - has been raised and deposited into bank accounts designated for Chamchamal flood victims, according to the real-time figures published on the website.
Mohammed confirmed to Rudaw that “the deposits are still ongoing and the final total has not yet been received,” adding that “the funds will be distributed to affected residents during a special ceremony.”
He further specified, “We have decided to compensate every flood victim with cash so they can purchase household items according to their own wishes and specific needs.”
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