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Home > About Us > Latest News > Iraqi Refugees: Call for Child-Focused Solutions at UN Conference

Iraqi Refugees: Call for Child-Focused Solutions at UN Conference

New World Vision report released at UN Iraqi Refugee Crisis conference identifies urgent needs in education, health, and resettlement.

April 17, 2007

An Iraqi youth draws a picture of his harrowing life experiences. He and his family are among some 2 million refugees who have fled the bloody Iraqi conflict. A new World Vision report (PDF) exposes the urgent needs of Iraqi refugee youth in host countries.

A new World Vision report (PDF), launched today in Geneva, calls for urgent global action on behalf of Iraqi refugee children living in neighboring countries.

In His Own Words:

Watch a video of an interview with 9-year-old Fawaz.

According to World Vision research, of the 2 million who have fled the violence in Iraq, more than half a million are school-age children, many with no access to education or psychological support.

Children's Needs Urgent

World Vision joined other non-governmental organizations to call for a way forward for refugees in host countries — including Jordan and Syria — at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees conference in Geneva Tuesday, April 17. The new report highlights the plight of children and the urgent attention they need.

"These findings expose the harsh reality that Iraqi children and families are facing in the region," said Ashley Clements, emergency advocacy specialist for World Vision and the report's author. "The needs of children must be front and center as the world addresses this refugee crisis."

Terrifying Accounts

The new report — Trapped! Unlocking the Future of Iraqi Refugee Children — highlights the psychological challenges refugee children experience. Many shared with World Vision researchers terrifying accounts of violence, kidnappings, murder, and bombings during their time in Iraq.
The trauma experienced by these children has come to the attention of local organizations, but resources to help them are few.

No Public Schooling

In addition, many children do not have access to public schools because local schools are overcrowded and refugee families lack legal status in host countries.

"School is vital for these children to regain a healthy routine and some social interaction," Clements said. "Beyond the obvious educational benefits, daily classes provide a safe and structured environment to address the social and psychological needs of children who are currently isolated."

World Vision's report outlines recommendations for governments, the UN, and the aid community on how to improve the lives of refugee children, including the following provisions:

Adequate funding for desperately needed education solutions, easing the burden on host countries
Proper health care for the physical and psychological needs of Iraqi children
Increased admissions to other countries, particularly for families with children

World Vision Interventions to Expand

Through local partners, World Vision is assisting 10,000 refugees in Jordan with food, basic household items, health care, and education programs for children.

We hope to expand our response to Iraqi refugee children as funding is secured and additional partners are identified. World Vision has served vulnerable and impoverished families in the Middle East for three decades.

Our goal as a Christian humanitarian aid agency in this region rife with political and social tension, is to create an environment where children can survive and thrive in order to reach their full potential and — as a "generation transformed" — help to build a lasting peace.

Learn More

>> Watch a video of an interview with Iraqi refugee, 9-year-old Fawaz.
>> About World Vision's Iraqi refugee response.

Get Involved

>> Please pray for the millions of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons who daily struggle to provide for their families. Pray also for World Vision's relief activities, to effectively assist Iraqi refugees from all backgrounds through our partners on the ground, especially in meeting the needs of vulnerable children.

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Who Is World Vision?
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

Learn More

Watch a video of an interview with Iraqi refugee, 9-year-old Fawaz.
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About World Vision's Iraqi refugee response.

Get Involved

Please pray for the millions of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons who daily struggle to provide for their families. Pray also for World Vision's relief activities, to effectively assist Iraqi refugees from all backgrounds through our partners on the ground, especially in meeting the needs of vulnerable children.
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