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Syrian refugees in Iraq risking lives to return home amid funding shortfall Syrian refugees in Iraq risking lives to return home amid funding shortfall
(21 days later)
Life for the 40,000 people who crossed the border from Syria into northern Iraq over the past two weeks will be extremely difficult.Life for the 40,000 people who crossed the border from Syria into northern Iraq over the past two weeks will be extremely difficult.
After being closed for three months, the Peshkhabour crossing between Syria and Iraq reopened on 15 August. Tens of thousands of fleeing Syrians who had been stuck on the border were finally able to reach safety, with more continuing to cross each day.After being closed for three months, the Peshkhabour crossing between Syria and Iraq reopened on 15 August. Tens of thousands of fleeing Syrians who had been stuck on the border were finally able to reach safety, with more continuing to cross each day.
Unfortunately, these new arrivals will feel the ill-effects of the lack of funding for refugee aid in northern Iraq. Before the reopening of the crossing, Iraq was home to 9% of the Syrian refugee population yet had received only 6% of the funding, according to the UN. Without urgent assistance from governments around the world, a dire situation will become far worse.Unfortunately, these new arrivals will feel the ill-effects of the lack of funding for refugee aid in northern Iraq. Before the reopening of the crossing, Iraq was home to 9% of the Syrian refugee population yet had received only 6% of the funding, according to the UN. Without urgent assistance from governments around the world, a dire situation will become far worse.
There is no room for new arrivals in Iraq's existing Domiz refugee camp, near Dohuk, which shelters about 55,000 of the 195,000 Syrian refugees in northern Iraq. The camp has a population three times larger than anticipated when it opened in April 2012. In 10% of cases, two families share the same tent.There is no room for new arrivals in Iraq's existing Domiz refugee camp, near Dohuk, which shelters about 55,000 of the 195,000 Syrian refugees in northern Iraq. The camp has a population three times larger than anticipated when it opened in April 2012. In 10% of cases, two families share the same tent.
Consequently, many new arrivals will find their way to towns and cities in northern Iraq, home to 65% of the refugees. For these urban refugees, deteriorating living conditions is one of the greatest challenges.Consequently, many new arrivals will find their way to towns and cities in northern Iraq, home to 65% of the refugees. For these urban refugees, deteriorating living conditions is one of the greatest challenges.
As they struggle to afford rent and food, many have no alternative but to share living quarters with other families. And these are the more fortunate ones. Many others are forced to settle in unfinished shelters, or abandoned schools and warehouses. Rarely is there access to running water or electricity.As they struggle to afford rent and food, many have no alternative but to share living quarters with other families. And these are the more fortunate ones. Many others are forced to settle in unfinished shelters, or abandoned schools and warehouses. Rarely is there access to running water or electricity.
Though refugees in northern Iraq have the legal right to work – a generous gesture by the Kurdish government – they can do so only if they have a residency permit. This can be difficult to obtain without legal documentation, which many were forced to leave behind in Syria. And even if refugees in Iraq do have a residency permit, this does not necessarily mean that they will be able to find work or jobs paying a living wage.Though refugees in northern Iraq have the legal right to work – a generous gesture by the Kurdish government – they can do so only if they have a residency permit. This can be difficult to obtain without legal documentation, which many were forced to leave behind in Syria. And even if refugees in Iraq do have a residency permit, this does not necessarily mean that they will be able to find work or jobs paying a living wage.
With the presence of so many refugees distorting the job and housing markets, rents have increased as wages plummet. Rent can total up to 75% of a refugee's salary. This leaves very little for food, medicine, school fees and other essentials.With the presence of so many refugees distorting the job and housing markets, rents have increased as wages plummet. Rent can total up to 75% of a refugee's salary. This leaves very little for food, medicine, school fees and other essentials.
In a refugee crisis that promises to stretch far into the future, focusing on the refugee majority living in the cities and towns of northern Iraq must be a priority. They need help finding work and gaining access to other types of assistance. At the same time, efforts are needed to shore up basic services – schools, healthcare, sanitation – in towns and cities where refugees live, both for the refugees and for the Iraqis who have welcomed them.In a refugee crisis that promises to stretch far into the future, focusing on the refugee majority living in the cities and towns of northern Iraq must be a priority. They need help finding work and gaining access to other types of assistance. At the same time, efforts are needed to shore up basic services – schools, healthcare, sanitation – in towns and cities where refugees live, both for the refugees and for the Iraqis who have welcomed them.
Doing so will support refugees and help to prevent tension between refugees and local communities. While many donors, the UN and other aid agencies have policies that support this strategy, there has been far too little investment.Doing so will support refugees and help to prevent tension between refugees and local communities. While many donors, the UN and other aid agencies have policies that support this strategy, there has been far too little investment.
This means that organisations such as the International Rescue Committee are unable to replicate in towns and cities the support they provide in camps, including education for children, providing counselling for survivors of trauma, legal support and helping refugees access clean water and medical care.This means that organisations such as the International Rescue Committee are unable to replicate in towns and cities the support they provide in camps, including education for children, providing counselling for survivors of trauma, legal support and helping refugees access clean water and medical care.
The lack of funding in northern Iraq is causing unnecessary hardship and is putting the lives of refugees in danger. More and more Syrian refugees are choosing to leave the relative safety of northern Iraq, instead risking their lives to return home. It remains to be seen how many of the recent 40,000 arrivals will also decide to head back into a war zone rather than struggle to live as refugees.The lack of funding in northern Iraq is causing unnecessary hardship and is putting the lives of refugees in danger. More and more Syrian refugees are choosing to leave the relative safety of northern Iraq, instead risking their lives to return home. It remains to be seen how many of the recent 40,000 arrivals will also decide to head back into a war zone rather than struggle to live as refugees.
Rebecca Gang is technical adviser for protection and the rule of law programmes for of the International Rescue Committee, which has published Hidden but hopeful: life beyond the camp for Syrian refugees in northern Iraq.Rebecca Gang is technical adviser for protection and the rule of law programmes for of the International Rescue Committee, which has published Hidden but hopeful: life beyond the camp for Syrian refugees in northern Iraq.
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