Iraqi refugee crisis: Millions in flight

24 September 2007, 12:58PM

The latest report by Amnesty International has found the world is largely ignoring the desperate humanitarian situation faced by more than 4 million displaced Iraqis. AI has warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis and greater political instability across the wider region, unless the international community meets its obligation to shoulder a fair share of the responsibility towards refugees.

Amnesty International's new report Millions in flight: the Iraqi refugee crisis, estimates the situation is the fastest growing displacement crisis in the world with over 4.2 million people now displaced 2.2 million inside Iraq and more than 2 million outside the country.

The exodus is the biggest population movement in the Middle East since Palestinians were displaced after the State of Israel was created in 1948.

The international community is failing to deal with the spiralling crisis leaving the neighbouring Syria and Jordan ֖ who are hosting most of the Iraqi refugees - shouldering too much of the responsibility. As a result, these two countries are now tightening border controls, cutting off the main escape routes for people fleeing from sectarian and other violence in Iraq.

The report found the international community has so far paid only lip-service to the needs of Iraq's displaced people with insufficient effort made to provide financial, technical and in-kind assistance or resettlement for those forced to flee their homeland.

Some states are even taking negative steps, including forcibly returning people to Iraq, cutting off assistance for those denied asylum or withdrawing refugee status.

Amnesty International is deeply concerned that without increased and long-term commitments from the international community, the lives of displaced Iraqis will become more desperate as they struggle to meet their daily needs, including housing, food, employment and health care.

The report, released on September 24, includes recommendations to the international community, in particular those who were involved in the US-led invasion of Iraq. It highlights the need for those countries to live up to their responsibilities sharing obligations and to cease practices that further jeopardise the safety of Iraqis.

Amnesty International is also calling for on-going assistance from the international community to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as humanitarian organisations to enable them to continue and to expand their work protecting and assisting Iraqis in need.

The report: Millions in flight: the Iraqi refugee crisis

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