UN conference to spotlight huge Iraqi exodus

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http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/April/focusoniraq_April113.xml§ion=focusoniraq&col=

16 April 2007

GENEVA - A UN conference starting on Tuesday will try to boost support for millions of Iraqis who have fled violence, amid warnings that aid for the growing flood of refugees and displaced people could cost billions of dollars.

The crisis with Iraq, where up to 50,000 people are fleeing their homes every month, is regarded as the worst displacement situation in the world.

“We’re talking about 4.0 million people who are uprooted,” said Ron Redmond, a spokesman for the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which called the two-day meeting of ministers or officials from 60 nations.

“Iraq’s infrastructure in many places is in a shambles, the capacity of the host governments outside Iraq to care for these people in terms of schools, social services, the economy, skyrocketing rent, we’re talking enormous needs.”