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. |