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Surge reported in number of internally displaced Iraqis

The number of Iraqis kicked out of their homes has surged 16 percent in October despite claims by the government that it has declined.

The Red Crescent, Iraq’s Red Cross equivalent, said at least 100,000 more Iraqis were forced to leave their homes in October.

“The number of internally displaced people in the country has surged to 2.3 million from 2.2 million,” said Amal al-Karbouli, Red Crescent’s deputy head.

“The promises may by the government of Nouri al-Maliki to help the displaced people return to their homes have not been honored,” Karbouli added.

Massive numbers of Iraqis are on the move inside the country in search for safety. The numbers are expected to hike as neighboring countries have shut their borders on the face of fleeing Iraqis.

It is estimated that at least 1.5 million Iraqis have fled the country to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.

U.S. occupation troops with the assistance of Iraqi forces have launched yet another military campaign north of Baghdad to quell resistance in four major cities.

The fleeing Iraqis blame ongoing U.S. military activities in which heavy weapons including tanks, warplanes and helicopter gun ships are deployed as well as sectarian killings and coercion for most of their suffering.

Karbouli said Maliki was almost doing nothing to help Iraqi refugees whether inside or outside the country.

Internally displaced Iraqis live in squalor conditions. Children do not go to school and amenities like water and food are hard to obtain.

Karbouli said Maliki has even reneged on a promise to donate $25 to Iraqi refugees in neighboring states.

“I am not aware and have no information that the money has been disbursed to the needy refugees abroad,” added Karbouli.

Source: Azzaman in English