IRAQ: Plight of refugees worsens as Syria, Jordan impose restrictions

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IRAQ: Plight of refugees worsens as Syria, Jordan impose restrictions
17 Jun 2007 09:28:32 GMT
Source: IRIN

BAGHDAD, 17 June 2007 (IRIN) - Scores of Iraqi men, women and children gathered on the pavement of Baghdad's central Salihiyah area waiting for the big grey bus to take them to neighbouring Syria and help them flee their country's violence.

"Staying in Iraq is like committing suicide," said Hala Numan Jabre, a 41-year-old mother of three girls as she threw her six coloured bags onto the bus.

"There is no safe life in Iraq, it's like a jungle. There are no public services, there is no rule of law, and everywhere there is killing and kidnapping. That is why we've decided to take our daughters away until things get better, God willing," Hala, a teacher of English, said.

Every month, tens of thousands of Iraqis flee to Jordan and Syria - the only two neighbouring countries which have opened their borders to Iraqi refugees.

"The situation in Iraq continues to worsen," the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said in a statement on 5 June, and "the number of Iraqis fleeing to neighbouring countries remains high". At least 2.2 million Iraqis are sheltering in Jordan and Syria.

Other countries with common borders with Iraq - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey and Iran - have allowed in very few Iraqis. Early this year, the UNHCR called for international support to help Jordan and Syria cope with the influx of Iraqi refugees.

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