WHO/UNHCR conference seeks to improve health care for Iraqi refugees

from ReliefWeb

DAMASCUS, July 30 (UNHCR) – Regional ministers of health and international organisations such as the UN refugee agency met in Syria to examine the problems in health care facing more than two million Iraqis who have fled to neighbouring countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in coordination with the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) convened the conference on 29–30 July in the Syrian capital, bringing together the ministers of health of Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Egypt; other UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).

"UNHCR is in daily contact with Iraqis listening to their problems and sympathizing with their pains and knows that the sick, the disabled and the needy among them have a lot to bear," Radhouane Nouicer, UNHCR's director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in his opening address.

"Among them are thousands of orphans, widows – without anyone to provide for them – and many others with special needs suffering in silence, waiting with impatience and courage for help to arrive."

The conference reviewed the current situation and access to health services for Iraqis in countries neighbouring Iraq. It discussed the challenges in ensuring access to health services, providing the needed resources and monitoring the situation.

More than 2 million Iraqis have fled to nearby countries – primarily Syria and Jordan – from the violence in their homeland. UNHCR has registered more than 160,000 Iraqis in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Turkey – a number expected to increase to 250,000 by the end of the year.

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