The Iraqi Refugee Crisis

The Iraqi Refugee Crisis:

“The displacement of Iraqis from Iraq is now the fastest-growing refugee crisis in the world”

-          Refugees International, 14 Feb 2007

Why is there a refugee crisis in Iraq?

Since the US- and UK-led invasion in 2003, spiralling violence and continual internal instability have led millions of Iraqis to seek refuge elsewhere. 

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, up to 1.9 million Iraqis have been made homeless because of the war.  Typically, they embark on migration to Syria (home to 1.2 million Iraqi refugees) or Jordan (home to 800,000) (figures as of March 2007).

Because of growing sectarian strife, an additional 1.7 million Iraqis have been displaced within Iraq – Sunnis and Shi’ites fleeing from mixed areas to districts where their communities are in the majority.

An estimated one in eight Iraqis is now displaced.

Displacement within Iraq:

The issue of migration within Iraq is most keenly felt in the south of the country since the region is perceived to have suffered less violence than others.  170,000 people have fled to the south alongside a further 270,000 people who are returning to the country having sought refuge abroad at the outset of the war.

The large number of Palestinian refugees in the country exacerbates the situation further.  Human Rights Watch reported that only 15,000 of the 34,000 Palestinian refugees living in Baghdad prior to 2003 remained, having fled the capital.

The weight of the Palestinian refugee influx falls mainly on Jordan and Syria. 

 “In responding to Iraqi displacement the international community must also recognise the continuing anxiety and focus of the Arab world with regard to the millions of Palestinians they continue to host”

- UN, ‘Protection and assistance to Iraqi refugees in neighbouring States and IDPs and non-Iraqi refugees in Iraq’, January 2007

Iraqi Diaspora:

An estimated 40,000 people are leaving Iraq every month for Syria.  Other host countries in the region include Jordan (800,000), Egypt (20,000-80,000), Lebanon (40,000), Iran (90,000), Yemen and Turkey.

Understandably, refugees need considerable support from their host countries, including: food, healthcare, education, counselling, and job opportunities. 

Damascus has repeatedly called for international help to deal with the problem.

But UNHCR spokesman Peter Kessler says amongst the international community there is “abject denial” of the humanitarian impact of the war, and a grave need for the outside world to step in. 

For further information:

BBC: World ‘ignoring’ Iraqi refugees - 20 March 2007

UNHCR: UNHCR urges help from global community as

Palestinians flee Baghdad - 24 January 2007

Refugees International:  The world's fastest growing refugee crisis - 22 March 2007

Palestinians in Iraq: Blogspot - updated daily

Daily Star Lebanon: Jordanians voice concern over influx of Iraqi refugees - 29 January 2007

Human Rights Watch: Syria to give refuge to Palestinians fleeing threats in Iraq - 2 February 2007