ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Villagers of Berashka in Sulaimani province, commute daily between their village and the nearby town of Said Sadiq, as they cannot reside permanently in their village due to the lack of basic public services. Nakhshin Mohammed, a Berashka resident, explained that their village lacks essential public services such as roads, schools, and hospitals, making it difficult for them to live there. “We come here twice a day [from Said Sadiq]. During the summer, when we’re farming, we visit three or four times a day,” said Mohammed, noting that she prefers to remain in their village. Berashka is located about 10 kilometers in the south of Said Sadiq. More than 100 families live in Berashka village but only stay temporarily, and leave at night. “We are forced to go to the cities. All our lands, water resources, and inheritance from our fathers and grandfathers are in this village,” said Khasro Mohammed, a resident. “If basic public services such as schools, hospitals, and electricity were provided, we would certainly return and live here permanently.” According to census statistics in the Kurdistan Region, village residents account for 16 percent of the population or about 1,019,305 people.
