11/14/2007

Contacts: Kristele Younes and Jake Kurtzer

Iraqi refugees in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon face a multitude of political obstacles to receiving basic assistance. Host governments are citing pre-existing security and political considerations as a justification for a lackluster humanitarian response and deteriorating security climate. The U.S. must increase its diplomatic efforts to encourage a greater response to Iraqi refugees by appointing an ambassador level diplomat in Syria and appointing a senior PRM official in the region who is charged with coordinating assistance and resettlement.

• In Syria, the continued diplomatic embargo by the United States of the Syrian government is severely hampering the humanitarian response, and the ability of the US government to lead the international response to the crisis. To this point, Syria has demonstrated a great commitment to the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi refugee community. However, the Government of Syria has not yet signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the 8 international NGOs invited to implement humanitarian assistance programs. Meanwhile, the continued lack of an ambassador level diplomat from the US has impeded the ability of the US government to coordinate with the UN, NGOs and Syrian ministries that are responding to the needs of displaced Iraqis.



• Regionally, an effective humanitarian response needs to be coordinated among the host countries and donor nations. The Arab League is a natural mechanism for coordinating a response for the refugees, yet the US government has not engaged them on the issue of the humanitarian response. Recently the Arab League has announced a diplomatic initiative to respond to the needs of displaced Iraqis. This initiative is long overdue but a welcome step. The US and EU donors, as well as Gulf States and other Arab nations must immediately work to develop an effective mechanism for donor coordination and fund distribution.



• To demonstrate political success in reconciliation, the Government of Iraq irresponsibly requested that Syria close its borders to Iraqi civilians fleeing violence.UNHCR grants Iraqis prima facie refugee status, indicating an extreme level of violence within Iraq. At such time, it is highly irresponsible for the Iraqi government to encourage the closure of the last avenue of refuge. The US as the primary ally of the Iraqi government must engage with Iraqi officials to ensure that there remains an avenue of refuge for vulnerable Iraqi civilians.



• In Egypt, Iraqis are offered short term safety from the violence, but the status of their long term needs is in limbo. Iraqis in Egypt face a misperception that they are wealthy and don’t need support. While it is true that some Iraqis arrived to Egypt with financial means to support themselves, their inability to work has led to the depletion of resources. Iraqis in Egypt are not allowed entry into the public school or health systems and there are no food support programs to speak of for Iraqis.
  
  The government of Egypt has refused to give Iraqis refugee status similar to other refugee populations of magnitude in the country. International NGOs that are currently operating in Egypt and have the skills and capacity to respond to the needs of refugees are being denied the opportunity to extend their work to Iraqis. As the US increases its diplomatic efforts on Iraqi refugees, officials should urge the Egyptian government to allow Iraqis access to work and live -- similar to the “Four Freedoms” agreement that Egypt signed with Sudan -- and to allow international NGOs to serve Iraqi refugees.