World Vision Responds to the Iraqi Refugee Crisis
In a massive exodus, two million Iraqis have fled their homeland for surrounding countries and are now facing difficult circumstances.
Many of these Iraqis lack official refugee status, according to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This means they have few or no rights in their host countries—including public schooling for their children, access to health care or legal employment to provide for their families.
As refugee families exhaust any assets they may have had, they face an uncertain future of poverty, discrimination and disenfranchisement.
World Vision is calling on the United Nations and the international community to respond in the following ways:
- Support the countries hosting the refugees, and provide full funding for the UN and NGOs like World Vision to provide the additional health care, education, food, supplies and social programs needed.
- Ensure basic protections, religious freedoms and human rights for Iraqi refugees—especially children.
- Ensure that borders in the region are kept open to Iraqi families fleeing life-threatening violence, and that religious minorities and other vulnerable groups are not forced to return.
Supporting Partners on the Ground
World Vision plans to assist the neediest refugees with food, basic household items, health care and special programs for children who cannot attend school. World Vision has determined that we can help most efficiently at this juncture by supporting local organizations already serving those in need.
In addition to providing food and other material assistance, World Vision will make its experienced relief staff available to provide these local groups with training in child protection, program management and other capacities to help refugees.
If you would like to contribute to World Vision's emergency relief efforts, click here .
