On November 1, Refugees International (RI) is launching a mission to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan -- the three largest host countries for Iraqis -- to examine the conditions Iraqi refugees currently face and assess the ability of these nations to provide an adequate response to an increase in refugees in the near future. Since the governments of these three countries have refused to grant Iraqis official status as refugees, RI will also study the extent that this lack of status limits their access to basic services. This is RI’s first mission to assess conditions for those impacted by the U.S. war in Iraq since June 2003.

“While more and more people are fleeing Iraq due to increased violence and fear of persecution at home, the international community continues to turn a blind eye to the silent exodus out of Iraq,” said Sean Mariano Garcia, Advocate for Refugees International and one of two staff members organizing the mission. “As the prospects for civil war in Iraq grow, Refugees International is increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of the Iraqi population.”

More than 1.25 million Iraqis are estimated to be living in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, seeking refuge from violence in their home country. During this mission, RI will examine the treatment that Iraqis receive in these countries. While many analysts identify Iraqi refugees as middle class or wealthy people with little need for international protection, RI will pay special attention to Iraqis who are largely living in the shadows – people with no legal status who cannot make ends meet, and are not able to make demands on their host governments for fear of deportation back to Iraq. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the United Nations also appear to be closing or scaling back the operation of refugee camps that were set up in 2003 following the initial U.S. military intervention in Iraq. RI will assess this trend in light of the growing exodus of Iraqis in need of international protection.

Refugees International’s team will also speak with minority groups fleeing Iraq, most notably ancient Christian communities that are being uprooted, and examine the growing campaigns to rid Iraq of non-nationals. For example, at the beginning of October, Shiite militias gave Palestinian refugees 72 hours to leave the country or be killed.

“Sectarian violence in Iraq is increasingly looking like a series of ethnic cleansing campaigns,” Mr. Garcia continued. “Minority groups and people from other countries who have sought refuge in Iraq from previous wars are increasingly being targeted. We want to know how these communities are faring in their search for a safe haven.”

RI staff Sean Mariano García and Kristele Younes will be traveling to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan from November 1 - 21 and will return to Washington, DC on November 28. To schedule an interview with Sean or Kristele, please contact Megan Fowler at megan@refugeesinternational.org or 202-828-0110 x214.