In addition to being a grave violation of the right to life, the ongoing insecurity remains a major obstacle to any efforts for the reconstruction of institutions, for the economy of the country and for a return to normalcy in the lives of the people.
An immediate response to the humanitarian crisis is to attend to the basic needs of those have left their homes because of the ongoing war in Iraq. Middle Eastern countries, including Syria and Jordan, have shown openness in welcoming the refugees. As the numbers have increased, the overburdened public services of the host countries are becoming overwhelmed by the increased refugee population. According to UNHRC estimates, Syria has taken in one million Iraqis, Jordan, 750,000, Egypt, 80,000-130,000. The United States has taken in 463 Iraqis since the beginning of the 2003 invasion; however, the U.S. administration announced on Feb. 15 that it would grant asylum for up to 7,000 refugees over the next year.
As the war continues and more civilians flee, neighbouring states are having difficulties absorbing the influx of refugees. Jordan, a country with a population of only six million, already has a refugee population of 1.5 million registered Palestinian refugees and the new refugees are causing the population to grow more quickly than is manageable.
The host nations that receive the refugees generally do not provide Iraqis with any official status and, therefore, they become the equivalent of undocumented workers. Middle-class Iraqis may be teachers, blacksmiths, architects, hairdressers, etc., but because of their status, they are forced to look for work in the informal sector, where jobs are hard to find. Others are afraid to seek jobs for fear of their undocumented status being discovered, which could result in deportation to Iraq.
Medical and mental health needs are unmet. Children are denied education, except in some private schools where costs make this prohibitive. Employment, even in the informal sector, is difficult to find. Social services are generally unavailable.
The Palestinian refugees who were living in Iraq are also in crisis. Palestinians are the most vulnerable refugees fleeing Iraq because they have nowhere else to flee. They already lack proper documents to leave their host country and are currently living in extremely difficult conditions at border sites.
The immediate care of those who have left their homes because of the ongoing conflict in Iraq is urgent. The United Nations refugee services must dramatically increase resources and the international community needs to respond immediately by providing resources and support for the basic safety, food, clothing and shelter. Current refugee assistance efforts are extremely underfunded.
Recommendations
- The international community through the United Nations seek ways and means to provide basic services including food, clothing and shelter to the Iraqi people who have left their homeland seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
- Medical and educational services be provided to the Iraqi refugees in their host countries.
- Western countries open their doors to the Iraqis as they seek safety and security for their families including the United States, Great Britain and the allied nations who are currently in Iraq.
- The United Nations refugee effort seek support from the international community so that basic services are provided for the Iraqis who have been displaced and are living in other regions of Iraq.
We also urge the international community through the United Nations to take with utmost seriousness its responsibilities for the monumental and long-term challenge of the recovery and reconstruction of Iraq, devastated both by long-term sanctions and the ravages of war.
The following NGOs without consultative status also share the views expressed in the statement: Adrian Dominican Sisters Office of Global Mission, Justice and Peace; the Partnership for Global Justice; Passionists International.