Iraq is home to over 50,000 refugees, although around 1.5 million Iraqis have fled the country since the start of the 2003 conflict. Iraq’s refugees are mostly Palestinians, with a smaller number from Iran and Syria, and many have been living in Iraq for generations.

Palestinian refugees first began arriving in Iraq in 1948, with further waves arriving in 1967 and 1991. There were an estimated 34,000 Palestinians in Iraq before the conflict in 2003, with most living in Baghdad.

Under attack

During the previous regime Palestinian refugees were perceived to have enjoyed special privileges, and this left them vulnerable to discrimination, attacks and politically motivated violence after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Palestinian communities in Baghdad were targeted for attack, and many refugees were subject to arrest, kidnap and violence by militia groups.

Those who could flee the country settled in refugee camps in neighbouring Jordan or Syria. However, as the influx of refugees from Iraq into Syria continued the country closed its borders to Palestinian refugees, leaving many trapped in the no-man’s land between the two countries.

Trapped in no-man’s land

Even now, Palestinian refugees are still afraid to disclose their origins. They still find themselves vulnerable to violence and struggle to make a living and to access medical care and education, because of the fragile security situation. With most lacking formal refugee status and permits, their freedom of movement is severely restricted.

The UNHCR now estimates that 22,000 Palestinian refugees are living inside Iraq with most still in Baghdad or stranded in camps such as Al Waleed on the Syrian border. Many of these refugees have serious medical needs including psychological problems caused by years of war and instability.

Al Waleed camp

Palestinians began settling in Al Waleed close to the Syrian border in 2006. By the following year the makeshift camp had increased and was accommodating 2,000 individuals. With limited assistance from outside organisations, the refugees faced serious health problems caused by a lack of water and sanitation facilities. Islamic Relief has been managing Al Waleed in partnership with UNHCR since 2008. The camp now provides all refugees with shelter, food, clean water, sanitation facilities and healthcare. Although outbreaks of disease are no longer a major concern, many of the refugees still report serious psychological problems, afraid of further attacks and uncertain of whether they will be able to leave Iraq.

Many of the refugees are now steadily being relocated by the UNHCR to third countries such as the United States, Norway and Romania. But in Al Waleed there are still more than 1,400 refugees waiting for their chance of a new life and who are completely dependent on the assistance of Islamic Relief.