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Iraqi Refugees Flood Into Syria and Jordan

Iraqis are fleeing to their neighbors by the millions, while the U.S. sits pretty

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Mar 21, 2007 12:38 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The Iraq war has created nearly two million refugees, and they're going largely ignored by world governments, the UN warns. "There has been an abject denial of the impact, the humanitarian impact, of the war," says a UN refugee agency spokesperson. Most of the refugees stream into neighboring Syria and Jordan, threatening to further destabilize the region.

As of February 2007, the U.S. had taken in only 463 refugees, but promised to up the number to 7,000 after it came under UN sharp criticism. That's less than 1% of the number Syria alone handles.

Iraqi refugees protest outside the UN headquarters in Cyprus...
Iraqi refugees protest outside the UN headquarters in Cyprus...   (Getty Images (by Event))
(F
(F   (Getty Images)
Iraqi women ask for help from the international community during...
Iraqi women ask for help from the international community during...   (Getty Images)
An Iraqi woman and her son look out from a bus window in Baghdad...
An Iraqi woman and her son look out from a bus window in Baghdad...   (Getty Images)
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Background:

U.S. ups Iraqi refugee numbers
BBC

Iraqis face deportation from Jordan
BBC

Refugees face uncertain future in Jordan: ""You've got to ask how long this generosity can continue before saturation and before they start closing the borders"
BBC

Organizations:

UN Refugee Agency: UNHCR
UNHCR

U.S. State Department: Iraq
U.S. State Department

 
Iraq • immigration • United Nations • Jordan • Middle East • Syria • United States • refugee • Iraqi refugees • Iraq war

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