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Cash pledged for Iraqi refugees Cash pledged for Iraqi refugees
(about 4 hours later)
The Iraqi government has promised to give $25m (£12.5m) to help neighbouring Syria and Jordan cope with about two million Iraqi refugees.The Iraqi government has promised to give $25m (£12.5m) to help neighbouring Syria and Jordan cope with about two million Iraqi refugees.
The United States has agreed to accept 20,000 of the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees for resettlement.The United States has agreed to accept 20,000 of the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees for resettlement.
The offers came at a UN conference in Geneva, which ended on Wednesday.The offers came at a UN conference in Geneva, which ended on Wednesday.
In all there are an estimated four million displaced Iraqis, nearly two million of whom remain in Iraq, forced to move by the violence in the country.In all there are an estimated four million displaced Iraqis, nearly two million of whom remain in Iraq, forced to move by the violence in the country.
My government embraces its duty towards its citizens wherever they are and we will not abandon them Hoshyar ZebariIraqi foreign ministerMy government embraces its duty towards its citizens wherever they are and we will not abandon them Hoshyar ZebariIraqi foreign minister
Washington and other western states have pledged millions to help solve what the UN describes as a neglected humanitarian crisis.Washington and other western states have pledged millions to help solve what the UN describes as a neglected humanitarian crisis.
The UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, says an estimated 50,000 Iraqis are now fleeing the violence in their country every month, and has warned that without international help, the crisis could have grave humanitarian consequences for the entire Middle East.The UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, says an estimated 50,000 Iraqis are now fleeing the violence in their country every month, and has warned that without international help, the crisis could have grave humanitarian consequences for the entire Middle East.
Neighbours under pressureNeighbours under pressure
Western countries, particularly the US and UK, have been criticised for not doing enough to help Iraqi refugees or the countries neighbouring Iraq which have received millions of refugees.Western countries, particularly the US and UK, have been criticised for not doing enough to help Iraqi refugees or the countries neighbouring Iraq which have received millions of refugees.
See map showing Iraqi refugee migrationSee map showing Iraqi refugee migration
At the conference Iraq's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, promised not to abandon citizens forced to flee the violence.At the conference Iraq's foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, promised not to abandon citizens forced to flee the violence.
WHERE IRAQIS HAVE FLED TO Syria: 1,200,000Jordan: 750,000Gulf states: 200,000Egypt: 100,000Iran: 54,000Lebanon: 40,000Turkey: 10,000Internally displaced: 1,900,000 Source: UNHCR Iraqi refugees' storiesWHERE IRAQIS HAVE FLED TO Syria: 1,200,000Jordan: 750,000Gulf states: 200,000Egypt: 100,000Iran: 54,000Lebanon: 40,000Turkey: 10,000Internally displaced: 1,900,000 Source: UNHCR Iraqi refugees' stories
"My government embraces its duty towards its citizens wherever they are and we will not abandon them," he said."My government embraces its duty towards its citizens wherever they are and we will not abandon them," he said.
Nearly two million of the four million Iraqis who have fled the violence since 2003 have sought refuge in Jordan and Syria.Nearly two million of the four million Iraqis who have fled the violence since 2003 have sought refuge in Jordan and Syria.
These two countries have struggled to cope, and the UN is urging them not to close their borders to refugees escaping Iraq.These two countries have struggled to cope, and the UN is urging them not to close their borders to refugees escaping Iraq.
On Tuesday the US pledged US$18m toward UNHCR operations for Iraqi refugees, Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky announced.On Tuesday the US pledged US$18m toward UNHCR operations for Iraqi refugees, Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky announced.
France and Germany announced an additional two million euros ($2.7m) in funding at the conference.France and Germany announced an additional two million euros ($2.7m) in funding at the conference.
Internal refugeesInternal refugees
Conditions for internally displaced Iraqis are deteriorating, aid agencies reported.Conditions for internally displaced Iraqis are deteriorating, aid agencies reported.
Some Iraqi regional authorities have started to turn back people arriving from other regions because they are unable to cope with the high numbers of people.Some Iraqi regional authorities have started to turn back people arriving from other regions because they are unable to cope with the high numbers of people.
Antonio Guterres, the head of the UNHCR, said the UN was ready to step up its effort inside Iraq - if cautiously.Antonio Guterres, the head of the UNHCR, said the UN was ready to step up its effort inside Iraq - if cautiously.
"We all know that there are many things that cannot be done in Iraq, but [we nee to] to really concentrate our efforts on what can be done in Iraq."We all know that there are many things that cannot be done in Iraq, but [we nee to] to really concentrate our efforts on what can be done in Iraq.
"An action plan will follow and we are ready to increase our capacity in Iraq, namely with the establishment of international presence in Baghdad in order to be able to do more and to do better," he said."An action plan will follow and we are ready to increase our capacity in Iraq, namely with the establishment of international presence in Baghdad in order to be able to do more and to do better," he said.
Any build up of UN staff in Iraq will be gradual and on a small scale, officials insist - nevertheless the announcement is significantAny build up of UN staff in Iraq will be gradual and on a small scale, officials insist - nevertheless the announcement is significant
The UN has not had a permanent presence in Baghdad since the bombing of its headquarters there almost four years ago.The UN has not had a permanent presence in Baghdad since the bombing of its headquarters there almost four years ago.
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