General Situation

Since 2003 Middle East region witnesses the biggest exodus from Iraq to its neigbrouring countries especially Syria.Other countries get Iraqi refugees are Jordan Lebanon Egypt Turkey and Iran.

Syria was the most affected country because entrance of Arabs to this country is easy.Syria doesn’t ask for visa for Arabs and allocates residenc permits for one year easily.In addition they permit Iraqi children to their schools without any restriction.

Syrian authorities are estimating the number lof the registered Iraqi refugees around to 1.4 millions but because of the poor registration and daily new inocmers averaged per 2000 per day the number is rumoured that is more than 2 millions.

Most of the refugees are Sunni Arabs from Baghdad and other Sunni areas Turcomans and Assyrian Christians.

A substantial number of the refugees fled in the first three years are rich and capable enough to survive by their own income.They have generated some businesses in Syria and contributed financially to the country s economy.

But on the other hand the prices of real estate doubled food and basic commodities has risen dramatically.In Syria the goverment subsidizes the basic commodities like fuel bread etc.

At least half of the refugees are new incomers since 2006 after the deterrioration of security in Iraq and the sectarian fights between the Shias and Sunnis.

The Iraqi refugees are centered mainly in Damascus city (Massakeh-Marzeh) and outskirts of the city (Sayyed Zeinab Jaramanah Qudsayyah El Tal Saydnayah ) which host 79 % .

Other located in Hasakeh Tartus Deir el Zor Aleppo and other cities.Following figures related with the basic problems refugees are facing have been taken from Syrian authorities and UN organization.Additional assesment has been completed on the field(Damascus and Aleppo) in order to Access the situation of the families and do interviews about their currents problems.

Source: International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation (IBC)