February 10, 2009
With the prices of oil so low Iraqis future looks unpleasant. In the aftermath of the war many Iraqis were displaced from their homes forcing them to look for other places to live. They moved into damaged government property but now they are being evicted from these places by the government. Many of these internally displaced persons returned home only to find their house damaged and public services deteriorated.
To compensate for these poor living conditions the government has a housing project on the way but with oil prices at their lowest the housing budget could be cut because 90% or more of Iraq’s income relies on oil alone. Other government financial aid has suffered the consequences too. The food program, which was set up during 1995, has been crumbling due to the small amount of income that the government has receive since the decrease in oil prices. It is uncertain as to what is going to happen to the program but for many families this contributes about 80% of their total food consumption. Also, widows have a welfare program that is suffering the consequences of the oil market. The money widows receive is not enough to support their families and only last for a few days. Other matters that need attention in Iraq during this war crisis are the radiation leak in Ninevah that has affected newborns as well as adults, the transfer of detainees from US forces to Iraqi hands and the refugees in Al Tanf that are living in poor conditions.
January 22, 2009
IRAQ: Returning IDPs lack decent public services - NGOs
Internally displaced persons are returning home only to find their houses damaged, their furniture looted, and deteriorated public services.
January 18, 2009
IRAQ-SYRIA: Slow resettlement for Palestinian-Iraqi refugees
The start of 2009 offers little hope to the residents of Al Tanf, a refugee camp on the Syrian-Iraqi border housing over 700 Palestinians who had fled persecution in Iraq. No country has given any concrete pledge to take any of the refugees for resettlement in 2009, leaving them to battle the cold desert weather this winter with more despair than ever.
January 12, 2009
IRAQ: Calls to delay evicting squatters from government property
In the aftermath of the U.S. invasion many Iraqis were displaced from their home and forced to look for other places to live. Many moved into government owned property, especially buildings damage by the attacks of the U.S. forces. Squatters are now, in the process of being evicted but a parliamentary committee and local NGO have called on government to delay the process.
January 6, 2009
IRAQ: Budget cuts threaten IDP housing projects
The government, which relies on oil revenues for over 90 percent of its income, will have to cut financial assistance to internally displaced persons (IDP). This may postpone the housing project designed to ease suffering on internally displaced persons in Iraq.
January 4, 2009
IRAQ: Iraqis want free food programme to continue, finds survey
Government spokesman said on January 3 that 95% of Iraqi families prefer the free food program instead of financial aid. Government is under a lot of pressure to cut back on the food program because of the low world oil prices, as they depend on 95% of their total revenue from oil alone. The future of the food system is uncertain.
January 1, 2009
IRAQ: Warning over plight of Iraqi widows
Over 1 million widows are having a hard time feeding their families in Iraq especially those who were internally displaced. Government officials are trying to come up with a solution but disagreement on how to has stalled the process. At the moment there is a current financial welfare program but the money that widows receive is insufficient and only lasts for a few days.
December 15, 2008
IRAQ: IDPs enticed to vacate southern camp
Over 1,200 internally displaced persons living in Najaf are offered 5 million of Iraqi dinars (about US$4,250) in return for leaving the camp. However, about 40% of theses internally displaced persons demanded more than the allocated amount due to the high price of land and construction materials but it is unlikely that they will receive additional money.
December 4, 2008
IRAQ: Low oil prices could affect government aid to IDPs
Low oil prices will affect government aid to internally displaced persons. Last year Iraqi government cut 13 million dinars from its proposed budget and this year they might have to revise the budget again due to the oil price being lower than expected.
November 17, 2008
IRAQ: NGOs concerned about detainees’ rights
There is concerned about the rights of detainees being transferred to Iraqi authorities. Absolute justice must be achieve, more visits should be allowed by human activists groups and treatment shouldn’t be based on sectarian background.
November 16, 2008
IRAQ: Nuclear contamination in northern province of Ninevah?
Radiation leak registered in Ninevah, about 400 km north of Baghdad, from a former nuclear plant. The province has registered many deformities among newborns and cancer among adults. Many of the plant’s material were sold as scrap in local markets, which triggered fencing around the plant and recovered materials are being dumped in there.
November 2, 2008
IRAQ: Calls to ensure detainees’ rights
Concern over the transfer of detainees from US authorities to Iraq authorities. US military runs prisons better than those run by Iraqi forces as US forces are known for professional conduct with the exception of a few human right violations. Iraqi prisons are not fit for detainees and many of the security forces lack human right knowledge, which makes them likely to commit mistreatment. Talks about training for Iraqi forces are in the horizon but there is nothing certain yet.
