Unemployment drives Darbandikhan exodus for Europe
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Compared to other parts of the Kurdistan Region, immigration to Europe among the youth of Darbandikhan is high because of unemployment and uncertainty about their future.
Saman Abdulkarim, 21, failed in his first attempt to reach Europe. Six of his friends have made the trip this year and he is determined he will also succeed.
"I was sold out three times in Istanbul and on the border of Greece in my first attempt to reach Europe," said Abdulkarim. "I am ready to trek the road 10 more times."
"I just want to escape this city, this country," he lamented. "Because there are no jobs. In the past we were happy a little a bit to do some construction work. Now, there is nothing to do."
Two of Ramiyar Wali's brothers are in Sweden. He is now preparing to migrate to the Scandinavian country, too.
"Two members of our family have left. They live a normal life, like any other European citizen and they have no problems," Wali said.
According to estimates, more than 230 youth have left Darbandikhan over the past two years.
"I trekked to Europe in 2016, but I ended up getting arrested," Wali said. "I just want to live a normal life there and have a job."
According to unofficial data, the unemployment rate in Darbandikhan has reached 40 percent, making those who had lived in Europe in the past and returned to Darbandikhan think of leaving the city once again.
"I lived in the UK for ten years. And I have now been living here for eight years. I have lost all hope in this country, so I will return to Europe," said Amanj Najim.
"There is no guarantee here," he added. "There is work today; there is nothing to do tomorrow."
Dana Ahmed, who has been living in Sweden since 1993, doesn’t agree that Europe is the haven the youth of Darbandikhan believe it to be.
"Europe is just a big military base," Ahmed claimed.
In 2018, the bodies of four youth from Darbandikhan were returned home. They died trying to make it to Europe.
Saman Abdulkarim, 21, failed in his first attempt to reach Europe. Six of his friends have made the trip this year and he is determined he will also succeed.
"I was sold out three times in Istanbul and on the border of Greece in my first attempt to reach Europe," said Abdulkarim. "I am ready to trek the road 10 more times."
"I just want to escape this city, this country," he lamented. "Because there are no jobs. In the past we were happy a little a bit to do some construction work. Now, there is nothing to do."
Two of Ramiyar Wali's brothers are in Sweden. He is now preparing to migrate to the Scandinavian country, too.
"Two members of our family have left. They live a normal life, like any other European citizen and they have no problems," Wali said.
According to estimates, more than 230 youth have left Darbandikhan over the past two years.
"I trekked to Europe in 2016, but I ended up getting arrested," Wali said. "I just want to live a normal life there and have a job."
According to unofficial data, the unemployment rate in Darbandikhan has reached 40 percent, making those who had lived in Europe in the past and returned to Darbandikhan think of leaving the city once again.
"I lived in the UK for ten years. And I have now been living here for eight years. I have lost all hope in this country, so I will return to Europe," said Amanj Najim.
"There is no guarantee here," he added. "There is work today; there is nothing to do tomorrow."
Dana Ahmed, who has been living in Sweden since 1993, doesn’t agree that Europe is the haven the youth of Darbandikhan believe it to be.
"Europe is just a big military base," Ahmed claimed.
In 2018, the bodies of four youth from Darbandikhan were returned home. They died trying to make it to Europe.