UN calls for international aid to help Iraqi refugees

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-18-2007 10:27

A UN conference in Geneva has drawn attention to the plight of Iraqi refugees fleeing their homeland asking that other countries take a bigger part in addressing this humanitarian crisis.

Exact figures are hard to obtain. But the UN refugee agency estimates that about two million Iraqis have crossed into neighboring countries. The figure includes many who were uprooted before the US-led invasion in 2003.

Close to two million are also believed to have been displaced within the country.

Monday's conference in Geneva was convened by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Antonio Guterres hopes to enlist international aid to help Iraqis fleeing daily suicide bombings, abductions, house evictions and other atrocities. He's also urged other countries to contribute actively to alleviate the situation.

Antonio Guterres said, "The humanitarian dimension of the problem can no longer be overlooked. Almost four million Iraqis are watching us today. Their needs are as obvious as the moral imperative to help. All of us, representatives of governments, international organizations and the civil society, are now compelled to act."

Speaking via video broadcast, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Iraq's neighbors and other countries around the world should share the burden of helping Iraqi refugees.

Ban says this should include keeping borders open and continuing to provide asylum or other forms of protection.

The UN agency also says it wants to permanently resettle 20,000 of the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees by the end of the year.

Editor:Du Xiaodan