- Title: SYRIA: UN starts massive food distribution for Iraqi refugees living in Syria
- Date: 13th February 2008
- Summary: (MER1) DAMASCUS, SYRIA (FEBRUARY 11, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF IRAQIS REGISTERING TO GET THEIR FOOD AID INSIDE RED CRESCENT TENT
- Embargoed: 28th February 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Social Services / Welfare
- Reuters ID: LVACCKDHENTGI42XQC2DA1SBW8Y8
- Story Text: The United Nations has started a massive distribution of food aid to Iraqi refugees living in Syria.
Long lines formed at registration points in Damascus after the U.N.
World Food Programme (WFP) and the U.N High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched a major operation on Sunday (February 10) to target an initial 145,000 refugees.
The U.N. aims to reach tens of thousands of additional refugees by the end of 2008.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent provided logistical support, while WFP provided staple commodities such as rice, oil and lentils. UNHCR added mattresses, blankets and soap.
WFP is hoping to provide food aid to some 360,000 Iraqi refugees in Syria, as part of a regional operation targeting 750,000 Iraqis.
Mouna Kurdy, General Manager in Syria Arab Red Crescent, said huge crowds were continuing to stream at registration and distribution centres.
"We still have huge numbers...We opened the gate and we are expected to help 1,000 families per day which means about 5,000 people daily."
WFP is hoping to provide food aid to some 360,000 Iraqi refugees in Syria, as part of a major operation targeting 750,000 Iraqis in the region.
"The percentage comprised by these 300,000 persons who will get help is very small compared to the 1.5 millions Iraqis in Syria. So whatever we do we still need more funding to extend the process so we can cover the whole number," Kurdy added.
WFP says it is currently facing a 75% shortfall in funding to help feed internally displaced Iraqis. The cost of the whole regional operation is estimated at $126.6 million.
Despite a recent decrease in violence in Iraq, most Iraqi refugees are too afraid to go back.
Khaled Jamal Dawod left Baghdad for Syria in 2004.
"I don't think I will go back to Iraq because everything has gone, even humanity has gone. Iraq is a rich oil country that can be built in one or two decades but what when will the human being be built?" said Dawod.
Najat Hussein Ahmad left Basra, also in 2004.
"I can't go back because they took everything: our money, our cars..They took everything and they threatened us. That's why I came here."
The Iraqi government is trying to encourage refugees to go back home by offering financial incentives, such as paying transportation fees and handing out $800 dollars per person.
But for many refugees, this is too much of a gamble. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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