Iraq refugee crisis 'getting worse:' experts

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Squalid and dangerous conditions, lack of shelter and scarcity of food are threatening to worsen living conditions for those displaced by the war in Iraq, refugee experts said Tuesday.

Five years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, experts told a House subcommittee hearing that serious problems persist for the 2.5 million people displaced inside Iraq and the two million who have fled to neighboring countries, according to UN figures.

"Despite a decrease in violence, slowing displacement rates, and limited returns in 2007, displacement within Iraq remains a serious humanitarian crisis," said Gregory Gottlieb, deputy assistant administrator for USAID's bureau for democracy, conflict and humanitarian assistance.

"In short, Iraq's IDP (internally displaced persons) and refugee crisis is deepening and will require a continued and targeted response from the US government and the international community as a whole," Gottlieb said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080311/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqrefugeesaid

[msongs]

1. the legacy of the war supporting obama and clinton congress nt

[eissa]

2. It's a mess

My family in Baghdad managed to endure the brutality of Saddam's regime, but cannot tolerate the violence surrounding them since the "liberation." My family in Syria, like all their neighbors, have taken in Iraqi refugees, but they are not exactly in the kind of financial situation to support two families. Not to mention how the influx of all these refugees has significantly impacted the economy of Syria and Jordan (the countries that have taken in the majority of refugees.) Cost of living has sky-rocketed in those nations.

Aaahhhh, war.

[Botany]

3. damn

:cry:

[happygoluckytoyou]

4. heck of a job bushie

[fbahrami]

5. we need "experts" to tell us that?

[Solly Mack]

6. :(

absolutely no excuse....America...has absolutely no excuse

[xxqqqzme]

7. At the National Christian Broadcasters Convention today...

"The decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision early in my presidency,” Mr. Bush said, to a standing ovation. “It is the right decision at this point in my presidency, and it will forever be the right decision.” (emphasis added) Hallelujah, they don't have to think or talk about the societal and/or economic mess, he created.

He's the decider, he decided to invade a country that posed NO threat to the US. He decided to trash international law just as he decided to trash our Constitution. Now that Fallon has been forced to resigned, can Iran be far behind? These people are not about to give up power peacefully. They seized power illegally, they're not going to give up up legally....they haven't done anything w/i the bounds of the law yet - why start now?