Tuesday, February 13, 2007
UNHCR appeals for $60 million for Iraqi refugee crisis
Humanitarian
(AP) The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and Arab countries are struggling to absorb a flood of Iraqis fleeing the violence in their country. A look at the problem:
Overall, an estimated 3.8 million Iraqis have either fled the country or fled their homes and gone to other parts of Iraq, according to the U.N. Syria, which has taken in an estimated 1 million Iraqis, has just imposed new restrictions that could curb the flow of Iraqis into its territory in future. It was the last Arab country to take in large numbers. Jordan and Egypt, with 700,000 and 130,000 Iraqis respectively, had already previously signaled they would take no more Iraqis.
The U.N. estimates 40,000 to 50,000 people flee Iraq each month and have dwindling options of where to go. The U.N. classifies most Iraqis as having only "temporary protection status," rather than as permanent refugees - presumably because it assumes most will return to Iraq after the fighting ends.
This month, the Geneva-based UNHCR made an emergency appeal for $60 million to help fleeing Iraqis. The UNHCR said it hopes to permanently resettle this year up to 20,000 Iraqis who it considers the most vulnerable, including women, children, survivors of torture, the seriously ill and minorities. The United States has taken in 466 Iraqis since 2003, including 202 last year.
Overall, an estimated 3.8 million Iraqis have either fled the country or fled their homes and gone to other parts of Iraq, according to the U.N. Syria, which has taken in an estimated 1 million Iraqis, has just imposed new restrictions that could curb the flow of Iraqis into its territory in future. It was the last Arab country to take in large numbers. Jordan and Egypt, with 700,000 and 130,000 Iraqis respectively, had already previously signaled they would take no more Iraqis.
The U.N. estimates 40,000 to 50,000 people flee Iraq each month and have dwindling options of where to go. The U.N. classifies most Iraqis as having only "temporary protection status," rather than as permanent refugees - presumably because it assumes most will return to Iraq after the fighting ends.
This month, the Geneva-based UNHCR made an emergency appeal for $60 million to help fleeing Iraqis. The UNHCR said it hopes to permanently resettle this year up to 20,000 Iraqis who it considers the most vulnerable, including women, children, survivors of torture, the seriously ill and minorities. The United States has taken in 466 Iraqis since 2003, including 202 last year.
