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Iraqi Refugees in Syria Page 2 of 4 Special Report of a Medical Delegation to Syria, July 07 |
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The Iraqi refugees we met told us heartbreaking stories of how the violence in Iraq has affected them. One woman we met had four of her brothers killed in the sectarian violence. An Iraqi doctor we met had her hospital bombed while she was in Syria, but she was determined to go back because there were so few doctors now in Iraq and her patients needed her. |
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Even though these are difficult economic times for Syria, which has been the object of U.S. economic sanctions, Syria has been remarkably generous in welcoming the Iraqi refugees. We simply felt we needed to help our brothers, one Syrian doctor told the delegation. Syria has provided assistance in past years to Palestinian and Lebanese refugees. Unfortunately, this generous response has received little support or recognition or thanks from the U.S.
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Other visitors to Syria have come to similar conclusions about the largely unrecognized role Syria is playing in hosting Iraqi refugees. Gabe Huck, an American currently studying Arabic in Damascus, wrote an article in the National Catholic Reporter (Sept. 1, 06), which ironically suggested that in light of its generous reception to Iraqi refugees, the Statue of Liberty belongs in Syria. |
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The situation of Syria, a small country with 18 million people suddenly finding itself with over 1.5 million refugees arriving for help, is comparable to that of the U.S. if 25 million refugees suddenly entered our country. |
