The Struggles of Iraqi Refugees: A Heartbreaking Reality
In recent years, the world has witnessed an alarming surge in the number of refugees around the globe, fleeing their homes due to different reasons such as war, persecution, economic and social hardships, among others. Among these refugees are the Iraqis, who fled their country due to decades of war, sectarian conflict, and political instability.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of Iraqi refugees worldwide has exceeded 4.4 million; constituting one of the largest refugee populations globally. This figure does not include the thousands of Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs) who live in dire conditions within Iraq.
The Struggle of Iraqi Refugees: The Impact of War
Iraqis have been fleeing their homes in large numbers since the 1980s due to political instability and economic hardships, but it was the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that had the most significant impact on the refugee crisis. The invasion led to a massive displacement of Iraqis, primarily due to the sectarian violence that arose in the aftermath of the war. The conflict between various religious and ethnic groups led to an increase in targeted killings, kidnappings, and bombings, triggering another round of displacement.
The situation was compounded further by the rise of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). These groups carried out attacks on civilians and government institutions, leading to a further displacement of Iraqi citizens. The complexity of the conflict and the ongoing political instability in Iraq ensures that the number of refugees continues to increase.
The Challenges Faced by Iraqi Refugees
The struggle of Iraqi refugees begins even before they flee their homes. They face a difficult decision to leave everything familiar behind, including family, friends, and belongings. Once they leave, they face many challenges and struggles to reach safety in another country.
Many Iraqi refugees start their journeys by taking dangerous routes, such as crossing borders illegally, and traveling in overstuffed boats. They face many dangers along the way, such as theft, violence, and exploitation by smugglers. Even if they reach their destination safely, they still face many challenges.
The first challenge is finding a place to stay. Iraqi refugees often arrive in their host countries with little more than the clothes on their backs, and no money or resources. They need to find a place to stay, either with relatives or friends or in a refugee camp. The conditions in refugee camps are often cramped and unhygienic, and the residents have limited access to food, water, and medical care.
Another significant challenge faced by Iraqi refugees is getting their status in the host country recognized. It can be a long, complex, and uncertain process, and even if they are granted refugee status, the benefits they receive may be limited.
Iraqi refugees also face many social and cultural challenges. They may be discriminated against due to their religion, ethnicity, or nationality. They may struggle to adapt to the new culture, customs, and language of their host country. They may also experience social isolation and feelings of loneliness.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Iraqi Refugees
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the already challenging situation of Iraqi refugees. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains, leading to shortages of food, medicine, and other essential items. Movement restrictions have made it difficult for refugees to find work and access social services.
The closure of borders and travel restrictions has also made it challenging for refugees to reunite with their family members, exacerbating the already high levels of loneliness and isolation. The pandemic has posed significant challenges to the mental health of Iraqi refugees, who already have high levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The UNHCR has been working with governments and aid organizations to provide support to refugees affected by the pandemic. They have been providing food assistance, medical care, and hygiene supplies to refugees. They have also been advocating for the inclusion of refugees in national COVID-19 response plans.
The Way Forward
The situation of Iraqi refugees is a heartbreaking reality that requires global attention and support. Governments and aid organizations need to work together to provide assistance to refugees, both inside and outside Iraq. The international community should recognize the efforts of host countries in providing assistance to refugees and provide funding to support these efforts.
The UNHCR calls for respect for the rights of refugees, including their right to protection, access to education, and health care. They also call for greater support for resettlement and integration programs.
Conclusion
The struggle of Iraqi refugees is a heartbreaking reality that requires urgent attention and support. The impact of war, political instability, and terrorism has led to the massive displacement of Iraqi citizens, who have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries. The challenges they face are immense, ranging from finding a place to stay to getting their status recognized in their host country. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these challenges, making the situation even more difficult.
The international community needs to work together to provide assistance and support to Iraqi refugees. Governments and aid organizations must recognize the efforts of host countries in providing assistance to refugees and provide funding to support these efforts. The UNHCR calls for the respect of the rights of refugees, including their right to protection, access to education, and health care. Greater support for resettlement and integration programs is also needed.
We cannot ignore the plight of Iraqi refugees. They deserve our attention, our support, and our compassion. We must act now to help alleviate their suffering and restore their dignity.
Iraqi refugeesÂ
Since the United States went to war with Iraq in 2001, it has been considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world. In 2007, it was named one the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world. Well over 1.8 million Iraqi refugees were displaced from their homes, while an additional 100,000 have chosen to flee to the dangerous nearby countries of Jordan and Syria.
United States politicians and Iraqi refugee advocates have demanded a United States increase in Iraqi refugee funding, particularly Iraqi refugees who cooperated with American forces despite the danger in which the assistance placed them.
Officials had predicted an Iraqi refugee explosion following the start of the war; instead that explosion came in 2007, with the number of Iraqi refugees seeking access to the United States skyrocketing. Increased inter-fighting amongst religious groups in Iraq has been said to be one of the causes for the increase in Iraqi refugees seeking entry to the United States. This followed an abnormally high number of violent attacks in 2006.
In recent years, Iraqi refugee numbers have boomed, with two million Iraqi refugees fleeing the country. Most Iraqi refugees have not received legal status in any of the countries they have fled to, particularly Jordan and Syria, despite the danger that is to be rampant in those countries. Like many refugees, Iraqi refugees have been forced to trade one dangerous area for another. There are hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees that have fled to these areas despite the lack of protection. Most do not have the ability to return home.
According to the United Nations, Iraqi refugees have had little to no resources at their disposal, including lack of health care, food, and educational programs for children. Democrats in the United States have argued that to deny Iraqi refugees, particularly the ones who helped American forces, access to the country would be along the lines of demoting an employee even though their work performance has been exceptional.
