LOC14:55
11:55 GMT
GENEVA, March 4 (KUNA) -- The International Organizaation for Migration
(IOM) said Tuesday that a study it conducted in Jordan and Lebanon has found
high levels of emotional and psychological distress.
IOM spokesperson Jemini Pandya told reporters that the assessment, carried
out between November 2007 and January 2008 among 200 families (800 people) in
the two countries, revealed that more than half of those interviewed disclosed
distress factors including panic attacks, anger, tiredness, sleep problems and
fears.
For those who had experienced direct violent attacks - 21 per cent of the
refugee sample in Jordan and 34 per cent in Lebanon - including witnessing
assassinations of relatives and friends, torture, rape or kidnappings,
psychological distress was overwhelming.
The insecurity of their refugee life, a lack of employment and the
de-professionalization of Iraqis whose qualifications are unrecognized, poor
living conditions and access to health and social services, including
education, has further aggravated the situation, particularly among Iraqis who
have been displaced for two years or longer. (end)
hn.bz.
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