The Iraqi Red Crescent Organization (Iraqi RC) provides relief and humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi families who have been displaced internally and externally. The Iraqi RC reaches the displaced people through its offices in all governorates in Iraq as well as through its coordination offices in the neighboring countries. This report provides statistics related to the Iraqi families who are externally displaced. Statistics was obtained through coordination with the Iraqi Embassy in Amman/Jordan, International Non-governmental Organizations and particularly with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

1. Number of Externally Displaced Iraqis is 700,000-750,000 persons.

2. Number of registered Iraqi refugees is 30,000.

Iraqi RC Coordination Office in Amman:

Following Samarra' events (February 2024), many Iraqi families left Iraq to neighboring countries. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was one of the countries which received displaced Iraqi families. The Iraqi RC Coordination Office in Amman works with UNHCR to follow-up the flow of Iraqi families into Jordan and to identify the main problems facing those families and to contribute to alleviating their suffering. The following are priority areas that were considered in surveys and assessments:

1. Health: Most families endure problems related to the high fees of physicians and medical care, especially during the winter season, and child health care and medical care for the chronically ill who used to receive subsidized monthly medicines in Iraq.

2. Housing/accommodations: The high cost of rented apartments is the main problem facing the Iraqi families. Most families do not have the needed financial resources and are not receiving any support from any humanitarian agencies for accommodations.

3. Renewal of visas/residence permits: Iraqis in Jordan are considered as temporary visitors. Renewal of visas is difficult or limited due to the strict procedures. Many quickly lose their legal status and become subject to deportation. Most Iraqis in Jordan have not been officially recognized as refugees by either the government of Jordan or the UNHCR.

4. Unemployment: Most Iraqis residing in Jordan have limited employment opportunities. There is high unemployment rate even among the highly educated. Without work authorization and with depleted savings, many Iraqis (often over-qualified) seek and/or accept low-paying under the table work or marginal employment.

5. Education: Iraqi children living in Jordan face barriers to education. For Iraqis in Jordan, enrollment in schools or universities is difficult due to the high tuition fees and/or the difficult procedures of the public schools.

6. Newborns: Parents of Iraqi children born in Jordan have the problem of obtaining the Iraqi nationality for their children. Most of these families cannot afford the cost of ground or air travel to Iraq to complete the related official procedures.

7. Food and nutrition: The high cost of food items in Jordan had contributed to the hardships of the Iraqi families.

Iraqi RC assistance provided through Amman Coordination Office: The Amman Coordination Office was inaugurated on 1 February, 2024. Since then, the office coordinated with international organizations and the Iraqi Embassy in Amman to provide humanitarian assistance to the Externally Displaced Iraqis as follows:

1. Assisted in the field survey carried out by a joint team from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

2. Provided financial assistance for the treatment of 100 persons with different medical problems.

3. Provided financial assistance for 100 families to assist in the supply of food items.

4. Provided financial assistance for 50 families in cooperation with the Iraqi Embassy in Jordan.

The Amman Coordination Office will continue its efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Externally

Displaced Iraqis as per regulations of the host country.

Syrian Arab Republic

1. Number of Externally Displaced Iraqis is 1,500,000-2,000,000 persons.

2. Number of registered Iraqi refugees is 15,000.

Iraqi RC Coordination Office in Syria:

The Syrian Arab Republic was another host country for the Externally Displaced Iraqi families. The Iraqi RC Coordination Office in Syria maintains a coordination role with the UNHCR regarding gathering statistics and information related to the displaced Iraqi families, and identifying the main problems facing those families and alleviating their suffering. The following are priority areas that were considered in surveys and assessments:

1. Health: Most families endure problems related to the high fees of physicians and medical care, especially during the winter season, and child health care and medical care for the chronically ill who used to receive subsidized monthly medicines in Iraq.

2. Housing/accommodations: The high cost of rented apartments is the main problem facing the Iraqi families. The vast majority of families does not have the needed financial resources and are not receiving any assistance from any humanitarian agencies for accommodations.

3. Renewal of visas/residence permits: Iraqis in Syria have difficulties in renewing their visas and/or obtaining residence permits due to the large numbers of Iraqi arrivals. Iraqi families became subject to deportation in case of inability to get a residence permit. On the other hand, visa procedures for Syria are less restrictive than those for Jordan.

4. Unemployment: Most Iraqis residing in Syria have limited employment opportunities. Similar to the situation in Jordan, there is high unemployment rate even among the highly educated. Many Iraqis (often over-qualified) seek and/or accept low-paying under the table work or marginal employment.

5. Education: There are more Iraqi children living in Syria than in Jordan. Official procedures related to enrollment in schools and universities are easier than in any other host country.

6. Newborns: Parents of Iraqi children born in Syria have the problem of obtaining the Iraqi nationality for their children. Most of these families cannot afford the cost of ground or air travel to Iraq to complete the related official procedures.

7. Food and nutrition: Most Iraqi families residing in Syria need food and non-food relief assistance. Many Iraqi families obtain food supplies from relatives in Iraq.

Iraqi RC assistance provided through Syria Coordination Office: Since the opening of the Coordination Office in Syria and in cooperation and coordination with UNHCR, the Iraqi RC was able to provide humanitarian assistance to the Externally Displaced Iraqis as follows:

1. Assisted in the field survey carried out by a joint team from the International Federation and the ICRC.

2. Provided financial assistance for the treatment of 20 persons with different medical problems.

Arab Republic of Egypt

1. Number of Externally Displaced Iraqis is 150,000 persons.

2. Number of registered Iraqi refugees is 5,000.

 

Islamic Republic of Iran

Number of Externally Displaced Iraqis in Iran is 100,000 persons.

 

Lebanon

Number of Externally Displaced Iraqis in Lebanon is 40,000 persons.

Full report: http://www.iraqslogger.com/downloads/ICRO_EDP_07_07.pdf