UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency

Voluntary Repatriation Statistics 2008-2009

UNHCR recorded over 400,000 Iraqis returning during 2008 and 2009. Nearly 15% were refugees, or about 62,000 people, the reminder were people who had been displaced elsewhere inside Iraq. Internally displaced persons continue to return at a higher rate due to poorer conditions in displacement and they can more easily return to their home areas. Some 300,000 refugees are estimated to still be in Syria, Jordan and countries neighbouring Iraq.

Internally Displaced

Iraq has a long history of displacement, with nearly three million displaced, almost half of whom have been displaced before the fall of the regime. UNHCR’s program targets about 1.55 million people who were displaced following the Samara Shrine bombing in February 2006. About 500,000 individuals are occupying settlements or camp-like situations in extremely poor conditions and are priority for protection and advocacy interventions.

Refugees

UNHCR has registered nearly 35,000 refugees at end 2009- Palestinians, Syrians and Iranians. They are primarily located in the areas administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad. In addition there are 3,800 asylum-seekers from Iran, Syria and Turkey.