LOC22:50
19:50 GMT
BRUSSELS, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi problem is the largest refugee crisis
in the world with 4.5 million Iraqis are either displaced inside Iraq or have
fled to neighbouring countries, according to Judith Kumin of the UNHCR (United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
She told a meeting with the European Parliaments Delegation for Relations
with the countries of the Mashreq Tuesday evening that 20,000 Iraqis applied
for asylum in the European Union last year and the number is expected to rise
to 40,000 in 2007.
"Conditions for large-scale return of Iraqi refugees are not there as yet.
Time has not come as yet to promote return," she said.
Other NGOs referred to the problems that Jordan and Syria, especially, are
facing in light of the recent influx of around two million refugees from Iraq
into their territories.
They called for a much larger financial contribution from the EU to help
with the humanitarian crisis faced by these refugees, and for international
recognition of the seriousness of this issue.
Beatrice Patrie, Chair of the Delegation, noted that "international public
opinion is not sufficiently mobilised" on this crucial problem.
Lisbeth Pilegaard, of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), said the
approximately 1.5 million Iraqis who have arrived in Syria are residing
"mainly in and around Damascus," which had a total population of 2.5 million.
Besides the strain these refugees have put on general services such as
health care and education, they have also had economic effects. "The price of
bread has increased 30 percent, flour 50 percent and potatoes 90 percent," she
said.
Shannon Meehan, from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), said the
conditions for the approximately half a million Iraqi refugees in Jordan were
worsening.
She emphasised that the "lack of legal status for these refugees builds an
atmosphere of fear and uncertainty". (End)
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KUNA 272250 Nov 07NNNN