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Statement of the Dominicans for Justice and Peace
and the Dominican Leadership Conference

Geneva, Switzerland
April 16, 2007

The deteriorating humanitarian situation
of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons

On the eve of the “International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons inside Iraq and in Neighbouring Countries”  to be held in Geneva on April 17-18 2007 and called by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, DOMINICANS FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE and DOMINICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE call for immediate and strong humanitarian action on the part of the international community and the United Nations refugee services to avert a greater humanitarian crisis that will have worldwide consequences. 

Two United Nations based Non-Governmental Organizatons (NGOs), Dominicans for Justice and Peace and Dominican Leadership Conference express their deep concern for the Iraqi internally displaced persons and refugees. There are about 1,800,000 Iraqi displaced persons in the country. An estimated 100,000 Iraqis leave their country each month, including many of Iraq’s best educated professionals.  Approximately 2,000,000 Iraqis have fled since the 2003 invasion.

The humanitarian needs of these people are extreme and urgent. An immediate response to the humanitarian crisis is required to attend to the basic needs of those that  have left their homes because of the ongoing war in their country.  Furthermore,,current refugee assistance and support for the internally displaced are extremely under-funded.

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 UNHCR estimates, Syria has taken in 1,000,000 Iraqis, Jordan, 750,000, Egypt, 80,000-130,000. The US Administration announced on February 15, 2007 that it would grant asylum for up to 7000 refugees over the next year.

Dominicans for Justice and Peace and Dominican Leadership Conference therefore recommend:

- that member states of the United Nations at the International Conference organized by the High Commissioner for Refugees, make financial and other commitments to address the humanitarian needs related to the growing number of Iraqi refugees and the internally displaced person;
-that the United Nations refugee services 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.
-that the international community through the United Nations seek ways and means to provide basic services including food, clothing, shelter as well as medical and educational services to the Iraqi people who have left their homeland seeking refuge in neighboring countries.;
  - that Western countries, especially the United States, Great Britain and the Allied Nations that are currently in Iraq, open their doors to the Iraqis as they seek safety and security for their families;

Furthermore, we 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.
________________________________________________________________________

You can find the High Commissioner's statement and other information on their web site at: www.unhcr.ch.



FACTS


There are about 1,800,000 Iraqi displaced persons in the country. An estimated 100,000 Iraqis leave their country each month, including many of Iraq’s best educated professionals.  Approximately 2,000,000 Iraqis have fled since the 2003 invasion.


According to Philippe Leblanc, OP, permanent delegate to Geneva, the meeting
"was very focused and action oriented involving many UN bodies, international organizations, NGOs as well as concerned and other countries. One of the purposes of the exercise was to highten awareness internationally of the deteriorating situation for the refugees and displaced persons. "
 


Dominicans Urge:

...that Western countries, especially the United States, Great Britain and the Allied Nations that are currently in Iraq, open their doors to the Iraqis as they seek safety and security for their families...


Hounded by Insurgents, Abandoned
by Us

New York Times Editorial by Anthony Russo

 


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