Sep 3 2012

$50 million for Iraqi refugees fleeing Syria

By Zeena Sami

Azzaman, September 3, 2012

Iraq has earmarked $50 million to Iraqi refugees who have fled the violence in Syria and returned home, the Ministry of Migration and Displacement said.

The ministry’s undersecretary, Salam al-Khafaji, said the sum was to help the returning families settle down.

He said initially each Iraqi family would be given four million Iraqi dinars (approx. $4000) upon completion of documents proving they had resided in Syria.

Khafaji said his ministry was keen to process applications as quickly as possible and that more than 600 families have benefited from the grant so far.

Thousands of Iraqi refugee in Syria have returned home since the start of disturbances there.

Iraq has even become a venue for thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing violence in their country.

Khafaji said each Syrian family in Iraq was around $400 on arrival and nearly $100 per person.

The official urged Iraqis fleeing Syria to register with the authorities at locations where they were residing and produce the necessary documents necessary to get the financial grant.

Syria provided refuge for nearly 1 million Iraqi refugees. The majority of them have stayed put despite mounting violence.

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