Catholic communities demand response to Iraqi refugee crisis

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April 2007

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Catholic communities demand response to Iraqi refugee crisis
In a joint statment issued at a recent U.N. human rights council meeting in Geneva, a group of American Catholic religious communities called for a broader effort to shelter thousands of people escaping deteriorating conditions in Iraq

In the statment, the Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Franciscans International, Dominican Leadership Conference, Pax Christi International, International Catholic Peace Movement, Congregations of St. Joseph and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas expressed their "deep concern for Iraqi internally displaced persons and refugees."

There are approximately 1,800,000 Iraqi displaced persons in the country. An estimated 100,000 Iraqis leave their country each month, including many of Iraq’s best educated professionals. Approximately 2,000,000 Iraqis have fled since the 2003 U.S. invasion.

According to the statment: "The humanitarian needs of these people are extreme and urgent. An immediate response to the humanitarian crisis is required to attend to the basic needs of those have left their homes because of the ongoing war in their country. Furthermore, current refugee assistance and support for the internally displaced are extremely under-funded.

"Middle Eastern countries, including Syria and Jordan have shown openness in welcoming the refugees. As the numbers have increased, the overburdened public services of the host countries are becoming overwhelmed by the increased refugee population. According to UNHCR estimates, Syria has taken in 1,000,000 Iraqis, Jordan, 750,000, Egypt, 80,000-130,000. The U.S. Administration announced on February 15, 2007 that it would grant asylum for up to 7,000 refugees over the next year."

That response was deemed unsatisfactory by the religious communities. They recommend:

• The international community through the United Nations seek ways and means to provide basic services including food, clothing, shelter as well as medical and educational services to the Iraqi people who have left their homeland seeking refuge in neighboring countries;

• Western countries, especially the United States, Great Britain and the Allied Nations that are currently in Iraq, open their doors to the Iraqis as they seek safety and security for their families;

• The United Nations refugee services seek support from the international community so that basic services are provided for the Iraqis who have been displaced and are living in other regions of Iraq.

• We also urge the international community through the United Nations to take with utmost seriousness its responsibilities for the monumental and long-term challenge of the recovery and reconstruction of Iraq, devastated both by long-term sanctions and the ravages of war.

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