DOCSLIB.ORG

Middle East: Population Displaced from Iraq

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Middle East: Population Displaced from Iraq Middle East: Revised Emergency Appeal n° MDR81002 Population 23 April 2009 Displaced from Iraq This Revised Emergency Appeal seeks CHF 17,175,141 (USD 14,696,070 or EUR 11,360,560) to support the Jordan and Syrian Arab Red Crescent Societies to assist 50,000 beneficiaries until the end of December 2009. Appeal history: • The Emergency Appeal was launched in April 2007 for CHF 18,272,727 for 12 months to assist 100,000 families. • On 20 September 2007, the budget was revised to CHF 12,820,095 for 12 months to assist 50,000 families. • With Operations Update no.4, the Emergency Appeal was extended until the end of March 2009 and budget revised to CHF 17,072,655. • Due to the humanitarian situation remaining largely unchanged, with School kits are a significant part of the non-food Operations Update no.6, the timeframe of items distribution of Syrian Arab RC. Photo: Syrian the Appeal was extended from 1 April Arab RC 2009 to 31 December 2009. • Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF): CHF 40,000 was initially allocated from the Federation’s DREF for a technical assessment mission to visit the region. Another CHF 250,000 was released to start the operation. Both allocations were returned to DREF. Although there are claims of relative stability and improvement in the general situation in Iraq, the current environment continues to be extremely volatile, therefore not encouraging for the externally displaced Iraqis to return home (estimated two million people). The majority of these externally displaced Iraqis are seeking a place of safety in Syria and Jordan, resulting in an enormous burden on the capacity of the host communities and governments of Syria and Jordan. At the same time, the displaced Iraqis have spent the little resources they have brought with them; increasing their vulnerability and need of assistance. Under such circumstances, the number of displaced Iraqis seeking assistance, particularly in the health sector supported by the International Federation, has steadily increased throughout 2008. This has been more visible in Syria where the International Federation’s commitment to supporting Syrian Arab Red Crescent (Syrian Arab RC) basic health care clinics has more than doubled. This, principally, is a result of the phasing out of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) funded Netherlands Red Cross (Netherlands RC) health programme in September 2008 2 combined with the introduction of the fairer and more equitable flat rate fee-for-service system1. In October 2008, upon the request of Syrian Arab RC, the International Federation assumed responsibility for the clinics previously supported by the Netherlands RC and, as a result, the International Federation supported clinics increased from five to 12. Despite the increase in the number of clinics supported by the International Federation, the budget for 2009 remains almost the same. This is due to the fact that the additional costs are related only to running costs, since the establishment and equipments were completed by the Netherlands RC project. This Revised Emergency Appeal addresses the continued needs of the externally displaced Iraqis in Syria and Jordan, with enhanced focus on Syria where the needs are greater. The distribution of funds has increased for Syria compared to Jordan, from a ratio of 2:1 to a ratio of 4:1. This Revised Appeal seeks to continue the provision of humanitarian assistance to the externally displaced Iraqis through Syrian Arab RC and Jordan Red Crescent (Jordan RC) in primary health and care; psycho- social support; community based health care; and basic non-food items (NFIs) distribution. This operation is expected to be completed by the end of 2009; a Final Report will be made available by the end of March 2010 (three months after the end of the operation). <click here to view attached revised Emergency Appeal budget; here to view interim financial report; here to link to a map of the affected area; or here to view contact details> The situation This Revised Emergency Appeal is a continuation of the Emergency Appeal launched on 16 April 2007 to address the humanitarian needs of the externally displaced Iraqis who fled their country and sought refugee in Syria, Jordan and other neighbouring countries following the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. Although there have been claims of improvement with regards to the security and general situation within Iraq since the launch of the International Federation Appeal in April 2007, a large number of externally displaced Iraqis still require support in both Syria and Jordan. The host National Societies, supported by the International Federation and other implementing agencies, have been able to implement and sustain ongoing programmes in all sectors during 2007 and 2008. Having said that, there is a large number of Iraqis who continue to require support in both countries as their vulnerability has been aggravated by the depletion of their personal resources and soaring inflation. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) does not promote voluntary repatriation to Iraq as the basic requirements for sustainable, large-scale return of Iraqi refugees in conditions of safety and dignity are not yet in place. However, UNHCR does recognize that individual families are currently repatriating and consequently assisting families who express a free and informed decision to return after individual counselling. UNHCR is also continuing to encourage resettlement countries to receive more Iraqis, especially, the most vulnerable people. However, in both instances, the numbers remain quite low. Since September 2008, UNHCR has assisted, through transportation and small cash grants, 322 Iraqis from Jordan and nearly 10,000 from Syria who decided to return voluntarily to Iraq. In spite of the fact that the number of Iraqi displaced decreased slightly, the number of vulnerable people increased with more individuals being in need of support. The burden on the host communities and governments in Syria and Jordan remains enormous, despite some improvements in the capacity to provide support. Syria At present, UNHCR has approximately 205,754 Iraqis registered in Syria. In addition, there are an unknown number of unregistered Iraqis not supported by UNHCR but who are vulnerable and require the support of the International Federation. The number of the Iraqi displaced in Syria who needs assistance in one way or another remain at the official figure circulated by UNHCR and the government of Syria which is between 1.2 - 1.4 million. 1 The more equitable and predictable flat rate user fee in Syria is a system where patients pay a maximum of SYP 75 (1.5 USD) per consultation compared to up to SYP 750 (15 USD) under the previous system where 20% of the total cost is paid by the user. 3 The Iraqi people who arrived during the past two years and those still arriving today have very limited resources. It is evident that the little resources they brought with them and the proceeds from the sale of their personal belongings have run out, putting them into deep poverty and destitution. Ongoing inflation and general increases in food prices, rents for flats or rooms, dwindling resources and no prospect of legal work make daily life for the displaced Iraqis even more difficult - exposing them to an enormous psychological stress. The huge number of additional residents in Damascus and other cities is also severely straining the already inadequate services and infrastructure. Still, the Iraqis in Syria are in principle entitled to the same services as Syrian citizens, i.e. Iraqi children are welcome to attend the cost-free Syrian primary schools. However, Iraqis are not allowed to work, and therefore generating income to purchase school uniforms, stationery and books can be difficult. For the same reason, even a low cost government service such as primary health care may be difficult for the Iraqi population to afford and benefit from. Jordan According to its March 2009 Fact Sheet, there are 52,390 Iraqis registered by UNHCR in Jordan. However, the officially circulated figure following the release of the study conducted by the Norwegian Research Institute Fafo and the government of Jordan in November 2007 is between 450,000-500,000 (as of May 2007, which is approximately 8% of the Jordanian population). Without access to more comprehensive statistics, it is evident that the Iraqis in Jordan are becoming more vulnerable. Prices for the necessities of life continue to rise and the cost of accommodation is increasing day by day. In May 2008, the Jordanian government introduced new visa regulations, an incentive of exemption and waiver of penalties/fines for overstay, and violation of other immigration regulations to encourage Iraqis to return voluntarily to their home country. In spite of this incentive, according to the Jordanian Ministry of Interior, only 3,000 Iraqis left Jordan to go back home. In addition, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there are more Iraqis leaving their country than returning. Safety and security concerns are the main reasons behind people’s decision to leave Iraq. For the few families who ventured to go back, the main reasons that driven them to take such a decision was the lack of financial resources to support their families in Jordan where the cost of living has risen considerably. In view of this situation, it is highly unlikely to see significant numbers of Iraqis returning home in the foreseeable future; therefore, the humanitarian assistance to support them is seen to be needed for the coming two to three years. Coordination and partnerships The International Federation, UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other Movement partners are continuing to harmonize and coordinate their support to the National Societies in Jordan and Syria.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Middle East
    The Middle East Recent developments our situations shape UNHCR’s programme in Fthe Middle East: the unabated flow of asylum- seekers and migrants from the Horn of Africa to Yemen; the Sudan situation and its impact on Egypt, the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) and Jordan; the Iraq situation and its impact on surrounding Bahrain countries hosting Iraqis; and the impact on host countries of the exceptionally protracted situation Egypt of Palestinian refugees. Iraq The Middle East has been a generous host to Israel refugees for decades, yet national security con- Jordan cerns in the region are testing States’ tradition- ally tolerant attitude towards refugees and Kuwait asylum-seekers. At the same time, there has been Lebanon some reluctance on the part of resettlement countries, since the events of 11 September 2001, Oman to accept refugees for resettlement from the Middle Qatar East. Saudi Arabia Voluntary repatriation is a limited option for the Syrian Arab Republic major refugee groups in the Middle East until a political solution is achieved in the countries of United Arab Emirates origin, involving sufficient stability to allow for a Yemen secure and dignified return. The Middle East Meanwhile, the Middle East is continuing to other persons of concern in the region. Where receive more asylum-seekers. Since the 2003 Iraq States have acceded to the 1951 Refugee Con- war, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria have received a vention and its 1967 Protocol, efforts now need to steady flow of Iraqis who are currently covered be directed at improving the practical implemen- under the temporary protection regime. Week by tation of the Convention, through the establish- week, as more Somali asylum-seekers and ment of national legislation and structures to migrants risk the dangerous sea crossing to manage refugee and asylum issues.
    [Show full text]
  • The Looming Crisis: Displacement and Security in Iraq
    Foreign Policy at BROOKINGS POLICY PAPER Number 5, August 2008 The Looming Crisis: Displacement and Security in Iraq Elizabeth G. Ferris The Brookings Institution 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20036 brookings.edu Foreign Policy at BROOKINGS POLICY PAPER Number 5, August 2008 The Looming Crisis: Displacement and Security in Iraq Elizabeth G. Ferris -APOF)RAQ Map: ICG, “Iraq’s Civil War, the Sadrists, and the Surge.” Middle East Report No. 72, 7 February 2008. &OREIGN0OLICYAT"ROOKINGSIII ,ISTOF!CRONYMS AQI Al Qaeda in Iraq CAP Consolidated Appeals Process CPA Coalition Provisional Authority CRRPD Commission for the Resolution of Real Property Disputes EIA Energy Information Administration (U.S.) GOI Government of Iraq ICG International Crisis Group ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IDPs Internally Displaced Persons IOM International Organization for Migration IRIN Integrated Regional Information Service ITG Iraqi Transitional Government KRG Kurdistan Regional Government MNF-I Multi-National Force Iraq MoDM/MoM Ministry of Displacement and Migration (recently renamed Ministry of Migration) NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization NCCI NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs PDS Public Distribution System PKK Kurdistan Workers’ Party PLO Palestinian Liberation Organization PRTs Provincial Reconstruction Teams RSG Representative of the Secretary-General TAL Transitional Administrative Law UIA United Iraqi Alliance UNAMI United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq UNDP United Nations Development Program UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund USAID U.S. Agency for International Development USG United States Government &OREIGN0OLICYAT"ROOKINGSV !WORDONTERMINOLOGY The term “displaced” is used here to refer to both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) which have clear meanings in international law.
    [Show full text]
  • Editorial Essay: Iraqi Refugees, Beyond the Urban Refugee Paradigm
    Volume 28 Refuge Number 1 Editorial Essay: Iraqi Refugees, Beyond the Urban Refugee Paradigm Géraldine Chatelard and Tim Morris Abstract ressources naturelles et de la souveraineté des frontières. Displacement and exile have been recurrent and durable La répression politique, les changements violents de régi- phenomena aff ecting Iraqi society for the last 90 years. mes, les redéfi nitions de l’identité nationale, les politiques Th e process of forming an Iraqi state from the ruins of the démographiques, et les confl its armés régionaux et inter- Ottoman empire, which Aristide Zolberg has analyzed as nationaux ont entraîné des évictions, des déportations, la a prime factor generating refugee fl ows,1 has been ongoing dénaturalisation, l’émigration politique et la fuite devant since 1920. Unfi nished endeavours to build a state and la violence. Une grande proportion des déplacements de nation have been characterized by almost incessant antag- populations irakiennes est intérieure au pays. Toutefois, onistic claims over the nature of the state and national un nombre important de réfugiés et d’exilés forme une identity, the exercise of and access to political power, con- diaspora régionale et internationale qui s’étend à l’Iran, la trol of natural resources and border sovereignty. Political Jordanie, Israël, la Syrie, et jusqu’à des pays d’immigration repression, violent regime change, redefi nition of national aussi éloigné que la Nouvelle-Zélande. identity, demographic engineering, and domestic or inter- national armed confl icts have resulted in eviction, depor- Belated Recognition of Iraqi Displacement tation, denaturalization, political emigration, and fl ight Despite their massive scale, displacement and other forms of involuntary migration from Iraq have so far largely escaped from violence.
    [Show full text]
  • Fleeing Iraq, Surviving in Jordan
    November 2006 Volume 18, No. 10(E) “The Silent Treatment” Fleeing Iraq, Surviving in Jordan I. Map....................................................................................................................... 1 II. Executive Summary..............................................................................................2 Refugee Terminology.........................................................................................10 Recommendations............................................................................................ 12 III. Background.......................................................................................................19 IV. Refoulement—Rejections at the Border and Deportations .................................22 Jordan’s Nonrefoulement Obligations................................................................22 Nonrefoulement obligation adheres to de facto refugees and at the border..24 Rejection at the Border......................................................................................27 Arrests and Deportations of Iraqi Nationals .......................................................30 UNHCR-recognized refugees ........................................................................32 Asylum-seeker card holders under UNHCR’s temporary protection regime....34 Persons UNHCR rejected as refugees prior to 2003, but whose need for at least temporary protection may have changed because of the war ...............37 Persons who have not approached UNHCR, but who fled persecution or
    [Show full text]
  • Syria Situation Weekly Update No.16
    Syria Situation Weekly Update No.16 31 August – 6 September, 2012 IRAQ Topics 1 Overview 2 Statistics 3 UNHCR Assistance Update 4 Syrian Refugee and Iraqi Returnee Needs 5 Interviews with New Arrivals 6 Coordination Domize Camp Rabi’aa Al - Al-Qa’im Wa lee d Al -Qa’im Camp Al -Waleed Camp UNHCR Presence Iraqi – Syrian Border Points MoDM/DDM/Local Authorities Agencies: UNHCR |UNICEF | WFP|WHO|IOM NGOs: IRW|Qandil|ISHO|IRC|HARIKAR|CDO http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php [email protected] UNHCR IRAQ OPERATION 1 1. Overview Syrian refugees Al-Qaim border crossing point is still closed and no entry of Syrian refugees is reported. UNHCR and other key partners continue to advocate with the Iraqi authorities to re-open the border crossing point for the entry of refugees. Iraqi authorities link the closure of the border to the lack of accommodation and the beginning of the period of exams in schools, which results in vacating schools. During a joint mission conducted by UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO and IOM, it has been assessed that about 3,000 Syrian refugees gathered at Al-Qaim border territory and are waiting to cross the border. Among them, there is a man, whose wife was killed in the clashes in Syria, with his 6-month child awaiting possible crossing into Iraq. The child was injured. Border be re-opened, It is estimated that additional 10,000 refugees may cross the border in a short time. In Kurdistan region, the month of August witnessed an increased number of new arrivals, reaching a peak last week.
    [Show full text]
  • UNHCR in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon
    NEW ISSUES IN REFUGEE RESEARCH Research Paper No. 167 Realizing protection space for Iraqi refugees: UNHCR in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon Anne Evans Barnes Associate Resettlement Officer UNHCR Damascus, Syria E-mail: [email protected] January 2009 Policy Development and Evaluation Service Policy Development and Evaluation Service United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees P.O. Box 2500, 1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.unhcr.org These papers provide a means for UNHCR staff, consultants, interns and associates, as well as external researchers, to publish the preliminary results of their research on refugee-related issues. The papers do not represent the official views of UNHCR. They are also available online under ‘publications’ at <www.unhcr.org>. ISSN 1020-7473 “I hope this conference will galvanize international support to provide [Iraqi refugees] with more protection and assistance and I hope it will mobilize resources in establishing much needed protection space.” Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons inside Iraq and Neighbouring Countries, Geneva, 17 – 18 April 2007. Introduction Protecting refugees is the core mandate of UNHCR but is primarily the responsibility of states. When states are unable to provide refugees with protection, UNHCR steps in to assist them. Over time, international refugee protection, a function primarily focused on the provision of legal assistance to refugees, has evolved to encompass a range of additional activities. Before UNHCR can provide refugees with protection, an environment conducive to the facilitation this protection is required.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraqi Refugees: Seeking Stability in Syria and Jordan
    Iraqi Refugees: Seeking Stability in Syria and Jordan Patricia Weiss Fagen Institute for the Study of International Migration Georgetown University and Center for International and Regional Studies Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar © 2007, 2009 Iraqi Refugees: Seeking Stability in Syria and Jordan Patricia Weiss Fagen Fieldwork: Patricia Weiss Fagen, Senior Associate, ISIM Sameer Jarrah, Director, Arab World Center for Democratic Development, Amman © 2007, 2009 Center for International and Regional Studies Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar Occasional Paper No. 1 ISSN 2072-5957 A Study Co-Sponsored by: Institute for the Study of International Migration The Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM), founded in 1998, is part of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and affiliated with the Law Center at Georgetown University. ISIM focuses on all aspects of international migration, including the causes of and potential responses to population movements, immigration and refugee law and policy, comparative migration studies, the integration of immigrants into their host societies, and the effects of international migration on social, economic, demographic, foreign policy and national security concerns. ISIM also studies internal displacement, with particular attention to the forced movements of people for reasons that would make them refugees if they crossed an international border. Established in 2005, the Center for International and Regional Studies at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar is a premier research institute devoted to the academic study of regional and international issues through dialogue and exchange of ideas, research and scholarship, and engagement with national and international scholars, opinion makers, practitioners and activists.
    [Show full text]
  • Syria 2017 Human Rights Report
    SYRIA 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY President Bashar Assad has ruled the Syrian Arab Republic since 2000. The constitution mandates the primacy of Baath Party leaders in state institutions and society, and Assad and Baath party leaders dominate all three branches of government. An uprising against the government that began in 2011 continued throughout the year. The 2014 presidential election and the April 2016 parliamentary elections resulted in the election of Assad and 200 People’s Council (Syrian parliament) seats for the Baath Party-led National Progressive Front, respectively. Both elections took place in an environment of widespread government coercion, and many Syrians residing in opposition-held territory did not participate in the elections. Observers did not consider the elections free or fair. The government maintained control over its uniformed military, police, and state security forces, but it did not maintain effective control over foreign and domestic military or paramilitary organizations. These included Russian armed forces; Hizballah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; nonuniformed progovernment militias, such as the National Defense Forces; and the Bustan Charitable Association, or “shabiha.” The most significant human rights abuses included unlawful and arbitrary killings by the government and its allies resulting from atrocities they committed during the conflict, including the repeated use of chemical weapons, including sarin and chlorine, against civilians, widespread “barrel bombing” of civilians
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment on the Situation of Iraqi Refugees in Syria
    Assessment on the Situation of Iraqi Refugees in Syria March 2006 Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms 3 Forward by MR. Abdelhamid El Ouali, UNHCR Representative 4 Executive Summary 7 Background & Methodology 10 Demographic Profile of Iraqi Refugees in Syria 12 Legal Status of Iraqi Refugees in Syria 19 Employment Status 21 Food, income and expenditure 22 Health Status of Iraqi Refugees in Syria 30 Education 35 Population Most at Risk 37 Recommendations 39 Annexes 2 Abbreviations and Acronyms CBO Community Based Organisation CBS Central Bureau of Statistics MOE Ministry of Education MOH Ministry of Health NGO Non-Governmental Organisation PL Protection Letter TP Temporary Protection UNHCR United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund WFP World Food Programme This report has been prepared by the UNHCR, UNICEF and the WFP. For more information please contact: UNHCR UNICEF WFP Representation The United Nation Higher The United Nations Children's P.O. Box: 33090 Commission for Refugees Damascus, Syria Development Fund Syria Country Office Syria Country Office Tel: (+963- 11) 333 5018/50 Malki 14, Al-ezm St. Fax:(+963- 11) 333 1521 E. Mazzeh, Al Shafiee Str., Bldg. 2 Nabelsi Building E-mail: [email protected] P.O. Box: 30891 P.O. Box 9413 Damascus S.A.R. Tel: (+963-11) 612 2592 / 3 / 4 Damascus, Syria Tel: (+963-11) 373 59 40 E-mail: [email protected] 373 84 51 Fax: (+963-11) 373 61 08 3 Forward Most of the Iraqis who left Iraq since the last Iraqi war have been attracted by Syria's open door policy, its tolerance and generosity towards refugees.
    [Show full text]
  • Syrian Refugees
    Viewpoints No. 4 Syrian Refugees: Lessons from Other Conflicts and Possible Policies August 2012 Rochelle Davis, Former Fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center and Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology, Georgetown University Middle East Program ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ As the violence and conflict intensifies in Syria, it is important to remember the growing movement of displaced persons and refugees. The recent experiences of Iraqis, Libyans, and Palestinians offer lessons on how to address the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees and how the host countries and the humanitarian aid community can respond in ways that help them without creating further problems. Immediately aiding those fleeing the violence is one clear way that the international community can provide limited measures of safety and assistance to civilians without wading into the treacherous trap of military intervention. The regime of Bashar al-Assad has proven itself unwilling to halt the vicious attacks on the population and, despite widespread condemnation, continues bombarding neighborhoods, towns, and cities as it tries to quell the uprising. The recent revelations that Saudi Arabia and Qatar are helping to fund the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is advising the FSA from southern Turkey indicate that the fighting will continue.1 Any direct military intervention in the country would mimic what took place in Libya: while not necessarily preventing more deaths, it would ensure victory for a side we know little about and do not understand at all. Given the lack of a clear perspective on what is happening on the ground and reports of widespread and serious mistrust of the FSA’s tactics and ideology, ensuring civilian safe areas both inside and outside the country is a well-grounded and necessary project for the international community.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq Situation
    Iraq Situation Working environment By September 2007, the number of internally displaced Iraqis was estimated at more than 2.2 million, with over a million of the total having been displaced since The context February 2006. The current rate of displacement is some 40,000 to 60,000 persons per month. The humanitarian The complexity of the operational, logistical and situation inside Iraq is dire and continues to deteriorate. political environment in Iraq affects UNHCR’s ability to implement its programmes for displaced Iraqis It is estimated that some two million Iraqis have sought both within and outside the country. The working refuge in neighbouring countries, mainly in Syria environment is further complicated by insecurity in (1.2 -1.4 million) and Jordan (500,000 - 750,000), Iraq, and the immense economic and social but also in Lebanon, Egypt and further afield. In challenges facing neighbouring countries hosting addition, there are more than 41,000 non-Iraqi refugees large numbers of Iraqi refugees. Most of the inside Iraq who have been equally affected by the countries affected by the Iraq situation have not violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation. acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its Palestinians, who comprise around 15,000 of the total 1967 Protocol. refugee population in Iraq, have been particularly hard hit. In neighbouring Jordan, 100 Palestinians, who fled Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic are the countries Iraq and had lived in Ruweyshid camp for more than with the largest groups of Iraqi refugees and Palestinian four years, were resettled at the end of October 2007.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraqi Refugee Health Profile
    IRAQI REFUGEE HEALTH PROFILE U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Division of Global Migration and Quarantine December 16, 2014 1 Iraqi Refugees Document prepared 2015 Health Information Priority Health Conditions The health conditions listed below are considered priority health conditions in caring for or assisting Iraqi refugees. These health conditions represent a distinct health burden for the Iraqi refugee population. Diabetes mellitus Hypertension Malnutrition Background Group Origins Iraq is located in the Middle East bordering Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait; it has a small seacoast on the Persian Gulf (Figure 1). As of 2013, the Middle East has the highest number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) of any region in the world (1). Since the early 1980s, Iraq has faced wars, political instability, and economic sanctions, resulting in the displacement of over 9 million people—approximately 7 million have fled the country, and 2 million are internally displaced (2). The most recent Iraqi displacement began in 2003 with the US-led war in Iraq and the sectarian violence that followed (3). Over 80% of Iraqi refugees originate from Baghdad (4). Since 2003, Iraqi refugees have settled mostly in Jordan and Syria, but also in smaller numbers in Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Turkey, and the Gulf States (5). 2 Figure 1: Map of Middle East Source: Kevin Liske, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ), CDC Language and Literacy Arabic, the official language of Iraq, is spoken by approximately 77% of Iraqis as a first language.
    [Show full text]