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FROM THE FIELD

Support for the Iraqi refugees in Syria
25 Jun 2008 14:36:00 GMT
 Source: International Blue Crescent (IBC) - Turkey
IBC

Website: Website: http://www.ibc.org.tr

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Iraqi refugee children receiving school kits
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Iraqi refugee children receiving school kits
IBC 2007 / 2008

Background

•  Iraq in turmoil

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IBC - International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation (IBC) started its operation in Syria, dealing with various core problems related to the Iraqi refugees. IBC also has received its official work permission in Syria, being the fourth INGO to receive this permit. Following this, for the best running of its project, IBC signed an agreement with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).

Although no census has yet been completed for the Iraqi refugees, UNHCR estimates that 1.5 million Iraqis are currently in Syria. By January 2008, UNHCR has registered over 153,516 Iraqi refugees (53% male, 47% female). • 18,969 Iraqi refugees registered since 2007 are classified as victims of torture/violence; • 21,546 registered since 2007 have an important medical condition; • 2,654 registered since 2007 are considered to be women at risk.

Between February 2003 - October 2007, the number of refugees arrived to Syria were between 30,000 - 60,000 Iraqis. A sharp decline in the number of Iraqis entering Syria was noted following the imposition of visa regulations in October 2007. According to the immigration officials at Al-Tanaf, the daily average number of those entering Syria from Iraq in late January is over 1,200 while an average of under 700 are going back to Iraq from Syria. Since the Iraqi refugees are not subject to social security and they work on cheaper salaries, the unemployment rate of the Syrians increased to 18%. Regarding the economic capacity of the refugees however, they are in desperate position, because of the increase of rent wedges and commodities, not being able to stand on their own means. Most of them had sold all their properties and belongings when fleeing to Syria and their economic resources have expired. Only young men in the families are able to find jobs for a salary around 100-150 USD. For instance, the rent of a house in a poor neighborhood in Damascus is reaching to an average of 300 USD, reasons for which most of the families are sharing the same apartments by splitting in rooms. More than 34% of the refugee families do not have the means to survive economically for more than a month. house in a poor neighborhood in Damascus is reaching to an average of 300 USD, reasons for which most of the families are sharing the same apartments by splitting in rooms. More than 34% of the refugee families do not have the means to survive economically for more than a month.

A numerous number of Iraqi refugees are suffering chronic diseases that require long term and expensive treatment. Every year more than 30,000 Iraqi refugees are applying for long term treatment to Syrian hospitals. Among the refugees are thousands of physically disabled children. The percentage of children among the refugees is around 34% and they need vaccination and physiological treatment. Refugees don't have social security and insurance so they have to pay for the medical treatment.

On the other hand, more than 76% of the refugee children are not continuing their education since 2-3 years in Syria. 43,749 Iraqi school children have been reported to be enrolled in Syrian schools by December 2007.

The present Project aims • Distributing start-up kits for 1000 families; • Distributing school materials for 5000 students; • Capacity Building Trainings for at least 2 local NGOs; • Food packages distribution for 3000 families; • Hygiene Kits distribution for 3000 families;

Beneficiaries of the project will be Iraqi refugees registered by SARC and also some Syrian families living in the distributing region. Equal opportunity in providing help to all Iraqi refugees will be IBC's main approach. However, IBC will consider and give priority to refugee families with no means of living and most needed in providing start-up kits, and school material. In implementation, IBC will consider the following criteria: • Equal approach to all beneficiaries with different religious and ethnicity. • Social vulnerability of beneficiaries (elderly, handicapped, sick) • Economic vulnerability of beneficiaries • Participation of women

IBC will encourage interaction, communication and cooperation between state and local authorities, beneficiaries and Syrian population living in the target area in order to realize smooth implementation of the project.

The latest project for the Iraqi refugees was implemented by IBC with the financial support of Malteser International, providing relief to the refugees in Damascus and Aleppo. Project's general objective was to provide basic food items, medical and sanitary supplies for Iraqi refugee families who are living in the suburbs of Damascus (Jaramanah and Dar Ul Zeineb) for a period of six months. The project includes also cash distribution before the Moslem Eid.


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (L) shakes hands with an Iraqi military officer during his visit to Amara, 300 km (185 miles) southeast of Baghdad, June 23, 2008. Maliki pledged to ...


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Last updated:Wed Jun 25 14:58:37 2008