Number of Iraqi displaced tops 4.2 million; shanty towns mushroom

[babylonsister]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/UNHCR/3600c843dbc8bc1408ddae9d73dd8cf2.htm

Number of Iraqi displaced tops 4.2 million; shanty towns mushroom
05 Jun 2007 15:13:33 GMT
Source: UNHCR

GENEVA, June 5 (UNHCR) – The situation in Iraq continues to worsen, with more than 2 million Iraqis now believed to be displaced inside the country and another 2.2 million sheltering in neighbouring states. Calls for increased international support for governments in the region have so far brought few results, and access to social services for Iraqis remains limited. Most of the burden is being carried by Jordan and Syria.

Inside Iraq, some 85 percent of the displaced are in the central and southern regions. Most of those displaced are from Baghdad and surrounding districts. Since February last year, an estimated 820,000 people have been displaced, including 15,000 Palestinians who have nowhere to go.

"Individual governorates inside Iraq are becoming overwhelmed by the needs of the displaced. At least 10 out of the 18 governates have closed their borders or are restricting access to new arrivals," UNHCR spokesperson, Jennifer Pagonis, told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.

"UNHCR is receiving disturbing reports of regional authorities refusing to register new arrivals, including single women, and denying access to government services. Many displaced have been evicted from public buildings," she added.

Combined with the general lack of resources, this has led to a growing number of impoverished shanty towns. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq and the World Food Programme indicate that at least 47 percent of the displaced have no access to official food distribution channels.

The number of Iraqis fleeing to neighbouring countries remains high. According to government figures, some 1.4 million Iraqis are now displaced in Syria, up to 750,000 in Jordan, 80,000 in Egypt and some 200,000 in the Gulf region. Syria alone receives a minimum of 30,000 Iraqis a month.

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[lazer47]

1. If they get all of them IRAKES out of IRAK,

It might be a peaceful enough place to invest in a Walmart being built.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. "They made a desert and called it peace." Tacitus

[OneBlueSky]

3. add to that the million or more who have been permanently "displaced," and . . .

you'll have some idea of just how horribly BushCo has decimated that country . . . they should all be brought before an international tribunal and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity . . . the evidence is prima facie . . .

[bdamomma]

4. * must be served his just dues, for his arrogance and ignorance.

I don't know what to say anymore. :shrug: