High Commissioner's mission to Iraq

Briefing Notes, 25 November 2008

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 25 November 2008, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

High Commissioner António Guterres arrives in Baghdad today for a 3-day visit that will include meetings with top government officials and a review of UNHCR's work with our national and international staff in the country.

The Iraq mission is the third by Guterres in 18 months and will include field visits aimed at getting a better perspective on programmes for internally displaced Iraqis as well as prospects for the possible eventual return of refugees.

There are more than 2 million IDPs and close to 2 million Iraqi refugees outside the country, according to figures provided by host governments.

• DONATE NOW • • GET INVOLVED • • STAY INFORMED •

 

Related Stories

See also

The High Commissioner

António Guterres, who joined UNHCR on June 15, 2005, is the UN refugee agency's 10th High Commissioner.

Al Tanf: Leaving No Man's Land

Crisis in Iraq: Displacement

Iraqi Children Go To School in Syria

Surviving In Iraq

It's estimated that more than 2 million people are displaced in Iraq. The UN refugee agency is trying to help the most vulnerable get their papers in order.

The Struggle To Go To School

t's one of the hardest choices Iraqi refugee families have to make -- whether to send their children to school or to work. Even though Syria has opened its classrooms to Iraqi students, a growing number of refugee families simply cannot afford to send their children to school. UNHCR has launched projects to ensure that more Iraqi children access education, including remedial learning programmes for those who have missed years of class. For the protection of those interviewed, names have been changed and faces masked.

Testimonial: Iraqi Survivor

Testimonial by an Iraqi survivor