Iraqui refugees in Damas, Syria

Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic are the countries

with the largest groups of Iraqi refugees and Palestinian

refugees (under UNRWA’s mandate) on their territories.

The social infrastructure and economies of the two

countries have been strained to breaking point as they

cope with the massive displacement from Iraq without

adequate help from the international community. As a

consequence, both Jordan and Syria have introduced

visa restrictions for Iraqis.

By September 2007, the number of internally displaced

Iraqis was estimated at more than 2.2 million, with over

a million of the total having been displaced since

February 2006. The current rate of displacement is some

40,000 to 60,000 persons per month. The humanitarian

situation inside Iraq is dire and continues to deteriorate.

It is estimated that some two million Iraqis have sought

refuge in neighbouring countries, mainly in Syria

(1.2 -1.4 million) and Jordan (500,000 - 750,000),

but also in Lebanon, Egypt and further afield. In

addition, there are more than 41,000 non-Iraqi refugees

inside Iraq who have been equally affected by the

violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Palestinians, who comprise around 15,000 of the total

refugee population in Iraq, have been particularly hard hit.