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Iranian refugees return from long exile in Iraq
22 May 2003 After decades in exile in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, some 150 Iranian refugees clamouring to return in the weeks since the regime fell and chaos erupted have begun crossing back into their homeland. -
Iraqi refugees heed call of home over comforts of camp in Iran
19 May 2003 Southern Iran's Jahrom refugee camp may be one of the best-equipped in the whole country, boasting comfortable houses, good health care, education and recreational facilities. But many of its 4,600 Iraqi residents cannot wait to leave for home. -
More Iranian refugees flee intimidation in Iraq
13 May 2003 Up to 1,000 Iranian refugees may be displaced in southern Iraq amid reports of widespread intimidation and eviction. Many of them are camped near the Iranian border, and the UN refugee agency is negotiating with Tehran to re-admit them. -
New hope for Iraqi refugees in Iran
23 Apr 2003 While no new Iraqi refugees have arrived in Iran so far during the current conflict in Iraq, the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in Baghdad has raised hopes of repatriation for some long-time Iraqi refugees in Iran. -
Up to 30,000 Iraqis gather near border with Iran
11 Apr 2003 The displaced Iraqis, who arrived in the Iraqi border town of Badrah after fleeing Baghdad and Nasiriya, have requested assistance but expressed no immediate plans to cross into Iran. -
Iran braces itself for new wave of refugees
1 Apr 2003 Iran already hosts what could be the world's largest refugee population, but it says it will not turn new Iraqi refugees away if their lives are in danger. Tehran has been working with UNHCR and other relief agencies to build camps and stockpile relief items in the event of a refugee influx from Iraq. -
Newborn Afghan helps UNHCR exceed planning figure for returns
13 Mar 2003 Three-month-old Nastaran recently became the 400,000th Afghan to return from Iran since voluntary repatriation started last April, helping UNHCR to hit its one-year planning figure early. Guided by her parents and grandparents, she brings hope for homecoming in Afghanistan. -
Lubbers visits Iran camp sites for Iraqis; UNHCR stockpiles relief aid in region
6 Mar 2003 Travelling to Iran's border with Iraq, UN refugee agency chief Ruud Lubbers visited camp sites that were being prepared for a possible influx of Iraqi refugees. Meanwhile, UNHCR is working to build a regional stockpile of relief aid for 300,000 people by the end of March amid calls for more funds. -
Iran alone cannot help new Iraqi refugees, Khatami tells Lubbers
5 Mar 2003 Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has assured UNHCR chief Ruud Lubbers that his country will stand by its humanitarian obligations, but will need help to deal with a possible influx of Iraqi refugees.