Iraqi refugees in the Middle East Syria, Jordan and Lebanon April 2008

Situation in Iraq Population: 25 mill. Religion: 97% Islam and 3% other (mainly Christians and Jews). Islam: 60% Shiite, 20% Sunni Arabs and 20% Sunni Kurds (in the North).

Baghdad 60% Shiite 40% Sunni Arabs.

Development March April 2008 March 2003: Start of the second Gulf war. May 2003: Pres. Bush “Mission accomplished”. August 2003: UN headquarter bombed, withdrawal. December 2003: Saddam captured : –Some initial optimism after the fall of Saddam lead to the return of Iraqis. –But also widespread sectarian violence, guerilla warfare, suicide attacks, chaos, looting. February 2006: The bombing of the Golden Shiite mosque in Samarra lead to a sharp upturn in sectarian violence.

Refugees inside Iraq 2.7 mill internally displaced (IDPs) – : 1.2 mill. – : 1.5 mill. 2008: Displacement continues in a lower pace. Mainly from Baghdad (69%) and Diyala (18%) Mainly (82%) women and children Mainly (85%) displaced in the Southern or Central Iraq. In neighborhood or district controlled by their sect. Many IDPs live in rented houses/apartments (59%), collective settlements (22%), with host family (18%), or in tents (1%). More than 1 mill is in need of adequate shelter and food. Around have no access to clean water. In 2007 UNHCR distributed blankets, mattresses, stoves, lanterns, plastic sheets, tents etc. 2 international staff + 20 national staff in 7 locations provide basic assistance.

Refugees outside Iraq 2.2 mill refugees in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, and Iran. Syria (1.5 mill) and Jordan ( ) carry most of the burden. Many Sunni Arabs and ethnic minorities Western countries receive a small portion.

Refugees: basic needs? Non-refoulement Physical safety Residence and work permit Legal protection (detention etc) House, food and water Social assistance (incl. school) Health services

Permanent solutions Repatriation (to home country)? »Voluntary repatriation: Some return (about pr day) »Economic reasons, check or sell property (“Go and see” visits) »Follow up with family members »To be released from detention in Lebanon or other countries »No minority return Local integration (in host country)? Resettlement (in a third country)?

Protection “climate” in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon Human rights record in the Middle east. Syria, Jordan and Lebanon not ratified 1951 Refugee convention (144 states signed) No asylum system Illegal or “tolerated” stay Few local NGOs dealing with human rights (mainly humanitarian assistance). Political tension and instability (Lebanon) Local population, rising prices (Syria).

The Role of UNHCR Protection and assistance to refugees Policy of non-return (prima facie refugee status) for all Iraqis from Central and Southern Iraq Registration Important first step: to be of concern to UNHCR Interview, collect personal information, assess specific needs and further action. Refugee Status Determination Interview, written assessment, criteria for refugee status in art. 1 A of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Resettlement: Who do we look for?

Resettlement Traditional criteria: -Vulnerable groups (Women-at-risk, children-at-risk, elderly, medical needs, victims of torture) -Legal and Physical Protection needs (risk of detention, refoulement) UNHCR refer Iraqi refugees pr year, mainly to US, Canada, UK, Australia, Den/Swe/Nor. In 2008: So far in 2008: 5000 Iraqis have been submitted and have departed.

Legal protection Challenge detention or deportation orders in court. Social assistance Community centers Outreach – mobile teams Social counseling Home visits Public and private school enrollment for children Private school fees, books, uniforms etc. Vocational training Medical assistance

Mixed refugee population Urban refugee population (live in Damascus, Amman, Beirut or other cities) Vulnerable groups (women, children, elderly) Excludable groups (criminals) Different needs and rights Dealing with expectations from refugees?.

Syria Population: 19 mill. 90% Muslim and 10% Christian Muslim: 74% Sunni and 16% other Muslim sects (Alawis and Druze) Syria is a republic under the secular and authoritarian regime of President Bashar al- Asad.

1.5 mill refugees each month in registered with UNHCR Average refugees registered pr. week. 2 months waiting period for registration (urgent cases 1 week) Growing numbers, because of increased support from UNHCR. Also growing numbers outside Damascus. (Aleppo and Homs). 53% Sunni, 22% Shiite and 17% Christian Male 52%/Female 48% Female principle applicant 22%

33% of refugees self-supported for 3 months or less. 20% of refugees depend on support from family abroad UNHCR: ATM cards to the most vulnerable families ( persons) with USD pr month. First interviewed by Community Service staff. Will cost 1.5 mill pr. month. 1 mill USD distributed to vulnerable women refugees received food assistance in Damascus from UNCHR and WFP. Package: Sugar, wheat, macaroni, tomato paste, black tea and cooking oil. UNHCR will also distribute non-food items: mattresses, blankets and bed-sheets. Planned for

Iraqi refugees in Damascus

Health situation 20% serious medial condition Survey December 2007: –89% depressed and 82% anxious, –all experienced at least one traumatic event (witnessed shooting, affected by shelling or rocket attacks, or harassment by militia. –75% knew someone close who had been killed. 16% tortured (mainly by militia), 61% beaten with fists or objects. In 2007, UNHCR supported health interventions (compared to only in 2006) UNHCR supported 7 clinics for Iraqi refugees in Damascus and 4 in other parts of Syria – Red Cross and Red Crescent. UNHCR provided treatment for 500 cancer patients (one hospital, cost 1 mill USD, surgery for 150 refugees).

Children Child at risk 5% 40% drop-out among school children 10% of children are working. UNHCR funded rehabilitation of 100 schools/educational facilities, provide textbooks and uniforms to Iraqi schoolchildren. UNHCR supports access to higher education for 300 Iraqi students through scholarship. In 2008, UNHCR supports the building of 8 new schools and construction of one floor in a new hospital in Damascus, and expanded capacity in other hospitals. Syria allows Iraqi children: enrolled by February 2008.

Women 5% Woman at risk 400 Sexual and Gender based violence (SGBV) cases identified since February Prostitution in Damascus UNHCR support 50 Iraqi women in prison and girls (12-17 years old) in Juvenile centers, mainly because of prostitution. UNHCR support safe houses in Damascus. In February 2008 a large new safe house opened to accommodate 120 women.

Palestinian refugees in “No mans land” Palestinians fled from Palestine to Iraq in 1948, supported by Saddam Hussein to provoke Israel. After his fall there were Palestinians in Iraq. They where perceived to be supporting Saddam and harassed by militia. Today, only left Palestinian refugees from Iraq stranded in two camps (Al Waleed and Al Tanf) on the Iraqi side of the border to Syria (“No mans land”) Fear of persecution in Baghdad. Syria has restricted visa requirements for Palestinians. Dessert, high temperatures (60 degrees in the summer) and sandstorms

Hard conditions, no proper water or sanitation, scorpions and snakes. Armed local men demanded part of supplies, threatened international agencies and blocked aid. Worried about health situation.12 refugees died in last 14 months. 400 km to nearest proper health facility in Iraq. No ambulance, only taxi. UNHCR (through implementing partners) provide daily food rations, non-food items and power supply, school (340 students), health care services and medical evacuation, Red Cross provide water and sanitation. Resettlement: In 2006, Canada accepted 64 persons. In 2007, Brazil received 107. In 2008, Chile will receive 117 persons. Sudan has offered to take 2000 persons.

Jordan Population: 6 mill. 93% Sunni Muslims and 6% Christians. Constitutional monarchy ruled by King Abdullah Hussein and supported by US and EU Iraqi refugees Stricter visa-requirements in February Apply in Iraq, not on the border Registered with UNHCR 3 days registration waiting period

Sunni 68%, Shiite 17% and Christians 12% Male 55% and Female 45% Urban refugee population: Come from Baghdad and live in Amman. 40% receive financial support from Iraq 22% employed 20% female headed households and often among the poorest. UNHCR: 2000 families food monthly and 150 persons hot meal daily. UNHCR: persons received financial assistance in 2007.

Woman at risk 7% Child at risk 5% 15% serious health problems UNHCR: health interventions in % said they wished to return if security improved. Only 20% concrete plans to emigrate to third country. Mainly poor refugees want to emigrate Refugees with high level of resources (economically and education) want to return.

Lebanon Population: 3.8 mill 35% Shiite, 25% Sunni, 25% Christian Maronites Lebanon is a parliamentary republic in which the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the leader of the Parliament is a Shiite Muslim. Political instability, division between ethnic and religious groups, fear of civil war.

Iraqi refugees Registered with UNHCR Registration waiting period: 4-5 days. Shiite 57%, Sunni 30% and Christians 12% Shiite live in Shiite areas, Sunni in Sunni areas and Christians in Christian areas. Male 70% and Female 30% 6% female principle applicant Women at risk 1.5% Child at risk 2.5% 10% important health problems UNHCR supported health interventions and psychological intervention UNHCR opened a new rehabilitation center for victims of torture and violence in Dec More than 50% never feel safe in Lebanon. 580 in detention because of illegal entry or stay (or overstayed their visa) and 50% detained beyond the period of their original sentence. Detention: will be released if return “voluntary” to Iraq. Major break through in February 2008: Recognize Iraqi refugees. Release from detention. Residence and work permit.

Conclusions Flee from violence (traumatic events). Want to return if safe. Neighboring countries carry most of the burden. Seek their ethnic group in country of asylum Women & children left behind. Single men move on (Lebanon). Mixed refugee population – different background, different needs, different status. Targeted response (Syria: ATM cards to urban refugee population)

Deal with expectations from refugees (assistance and resettlement). Local integration and repatriation. Resettlement only for a small minority. Difficult protection “climate” (restricted access, human rights violations, detention) Realistic approach Need to work with local governments and local population – protection principles vs. protection space? Resources and donor support Resettlement countries. Work for UNHCR the need for young, motivated staff Work is demanding, but also gratifying!