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The Issue of Iraqi Refugees

The Issue of Iraqi Refugees

The Issue of Iraqi Refugees: Understanding the Plight of Displaced Persons

The situation in Iraq, which has been plagued by war and instability for decades, has resulted in a significant number of Iraqis leaving their homes and seeking refuge in other countries. The ongoing conflict in Iraq has led to millions of people being displaced, in search of safety and shelter from the violence that has engulfed the country. This article aims to examine the issue of Iraqi refugees in depth, providing an overview of the situation, the challenges faced by displaced persons, and recommendations for addressing the issue.

Background and Overview

Iraq has experienced a history of conflict and political unrest that has resulted in the displacement of millions of people. The most recent wave of displacement began in 2014 when ISIS took control of large parts of the country, causing widespread violence, death, and destruction. Between 2014 and 2017, nearly 6 million people were displaced within the country, with approximately 3.2 million of them being internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the remaining 2.4 million being refugees in neighboring countries.

The majority of Iraqi refugees are currently residing in Syria, Turkey, and Jordan. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of 2021, there were over 250,000 Iraqi refugees registered in Syria, more than 250,000 in Turkey, and over 225,000 in Jordan. However, these figures do not take into account unregistered refugees, meaning that the number of Iraqi refugees is likely much higher.

Challenges Faced by Iraqi Refugees

The challenges faced by Iraqi refugees are numerous and complex. Many refugees live in overcrowded and under-resourced refugee camps, where there is a severe lack of access to essential services such as water, sanitation, and healthcare. In addition, many refugees are unable to work and provide for their families, which exacerbates their financial hardships.

The psychological impact of displacement is also a significant challenge for Iraqi refugees. The trauma of conflict, loss, and displacement can lead to long-term mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children are especially vulnerable, as they are often forced to witness violence or experience it directly themselves, which can have long-term consequences on their mental and emotional well-being.

Another challenge faced by Iraqi refugees is the uncertainty surrounding their future. Many refugees have been in displacement for years and do not know if or when they will be able to return to their homes. This lack of clarity about their future makes it difficult for refugees to plan for their lives and their families.

Recommendations for Addressing the Issue

Addressing the issue of Iraqi refugees requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses immediate needs as well as long-term solutions. The following recommendations are critical to addressing the needs of Iraqi refugees:

1. Increased funding: Donor countries and the international community must increase funding for humanitarian programs that provide essential services to refugees, including food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

2. Expanded access to education: Access to education must be expanded for Iraqi refugees, particularly for children. Education provides not only vital skills and knowledge but also creates a sense of normalcy and routine in a displaced child’s life.

3. Mental health support: Mental health support services must be made available to Iraqi refugees, particularly for those who have experienced violence, trauma, and displacement. This includes counseling and psychiatric care, as well as community-based support groups.

4. Job creation: Opportunities for employment must be created for Iraqi refugees, particularly for those who have been displaced for long periods. This can be accomplished through partnerships with businesses and government agencies, as well as through vocational training programs.

5. Long-term solutions: A long-term solution to the issue of Iraqi refugees must be developed, which includes addressing the root causes of displacement. This involves efforts to promote peace and stability in Iraq, as well as supporting IDPs and refugees in their efforts to rebuild their lives.

Conclusion

The issue of Iraqi refugees is a complex and multi-faceted issue that requires a concerted effort from the international community. Addressing the challenges faced by Iraqi refugees will require immediate humanitarian aid and support, as well as long-term solutions that address the root causes of displacement. The international community’s commitment to resolving the issue of Iraqi refugees is critical to providing hope and a better future for millions of displaced persons.


Iraqi refugees in the modern world are most likely those individuals who have either left or been forced to leave their home country of Iraq. Most often, the cause of Iraqi refugees leaving Iraq has been some form of war within their home country. For example, many Iraqi refugees left Iraq during the Persian Gulf War of 1990, and many more have left recently in the current Iraq War. Current estimates put the number of Iraqi refugees in the world at somewhere between 1.6 million and 2.2 million, depending upon the source of information, with the vast majority of current Iraqi refugees having left Iraq relatively recently.

This is a particularly significant problem facing the modern world, as all of these Iraqi refugees may not have anywhere else to go, and instead they are often being put into refugee camps which can be dangerous and unsanitary, especially for refugee children. Indeed, refugee children are very often underfed and unable to gain access to drinking water which is clean and safe to drink, meaning that refugee children are often very much at risk for significant diseases and other problems.

One of the biggest dilemmas currently existent regarding Iraqi refugees is that the vast majority of Iraqi refugees must go to countries within the areas around Iraq. Very few Iraqi refugees and refugee children have been allowed into the Untied States of America, depending upon information sources. For example, one source claims that America has only admitted 800 Iraqi refugees since the beginning of the new Iraq War. A large number of Iraqi refugees have instead been forced into Jordan, Syria, and Egypt.