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UN welcomes US Iraq refugee plan UN welcomes US Iraq refugee plan
(about 7 hours later)
The United Nations has welcomed US plans to grant up to 7,000 Iraqi refugees asylum over the next year.The United Nations has welcomed US plans to grant up to 7,000 Iraqi refugees asylum over the next year.
Antonio Guterres, who heads the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), described the policy plans as "a very good step in the right direction". Antonio Guterres, who heads the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), described the plans as "a very good step in the right direction".
The number represents a huge increase on the 463 refugees the US has taken in since the war began four years ago. The number represents only a fraction of the thousands of people given refuge by countries neighbouring Iraq.
Meanwhile, the US will also offer $18m (£9.2m) to the UNHCR to help millions of other Iraqi refugees. The US has pledged $18m (£9.2m) to the UNHCR to help the millions of people who have fled Iraq since the war began.
The US move has been prompted by criticism over the number it has taken in so far. name="goback">
Mr Guterres said: "The dimension of the problem is so huge that nothing is anytime (ever) enough but I think it is a very good start, a very good step in the right direction." class="bodl" href="#map">See map showing Iraqi migration
The US move has been prompted by criticism over the number of refugees it has taken in so far - some 463 since the 2003 invasion.
'Huge problem'
"The dimension of the problem is so huge that nothing is ever enough," said Mr Guterres.
"But I think it is a very good start, a very good step in the right direction."
IRAQIS FLEEING THEIR HOMES In Syria: <700,000 In Jordan: <700,000In Egypt: 20,000-80,000 (estimate)In Lebanon: <40,000Internally displaced: 1,700,000 Source: UNHCR Iraqi refugees' stories
The UN estimates that up to 50,000 Iraqis flee each month and that 3.8m have left since the war started.The UN estimates that up to 50,000 Iraqis flee each month and that 3.8m have left since the war started.
US officials will interview the refugees during the current US fiscal year which ends on 30 September. It is not known when those approved would actually arrive in the country. Up to 700,000 are estimated to be living in Syria and the same number in neighbouring Jordan.
Jordanian government spokesman Nasser Judeh said the number proposed by the US paled into insignificance compared with Jordan's intake.
"Seven thousand Iraqi refugees is just 1% of the number we have," he said.
UN appealUN appeal
Most of the refugees have headed for Syria and Jordan. But both countries have tried to cut the influx, narrowing options for those fleeing.
The 7,000 refugees would move to the US from countries they have already reached.The 7,000 refugees would move to the US from countries they have already reached.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the figures was a "target" not a ceiling. US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the figures was a "target", not a ceiling.
The plan would also afford special treatment to those in Iraq who were at risk of sectarian attack through providing the US with information.The plan would also afford special treatment to those in Iraq who were at risk of sectarian attack through providing the US with information.
Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey said the increase in the US refugee quota reflected a change in the situation on the ground, following the attack on a Shia mosque in Samarra a year ago.Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey said the increase in the US refugee quota reflected a change in the situation on the ground, following the attack on a Shia mosque in Samarra a year ago.
"It really was not until after the Samarra bombing ... that the sectarian violence began to reach a level that there was significant outward movement," she said."It really was not until after the Samarra bombing ... that the sectarian violence began to reach a level that there was significant outward movement," she said.
The UN has called for $60m (£30.5m) from nations for a global resettlement programme.The UN has called for $60m (£30.5m) from nations for a global resettlement programme.
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