U.S. Embassy Delegation Visits Syrian Refugees at Al-Qaim Camps

January 23,2013

A senior delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s continuing commitment to assisting Syrian refugees in Iraq during a January 21 visit to three al-Qaim refugee camps, in the western part of the Anbar province.  U.S. Embassy Assistant Chief of Mission, Ambassador James Knight, USAID Mission Director Thomas Staal, and Embassy Refugee Coordinator Anjalina Sen visited the camps to learn firsthand about the living conditions there, where 7,500 Syrian refugees currently reside.

To date, the U.S. Government has provided nearly $210 million to the Syria humanitarian response, including funding UNHCR, UNICEF, and WFP operations to support Syrian refugees in Iraq and the region.  The U.S. Embassy officials reviewed the conditions in two existing camps, toured a third newly-constructed camp, and met with refugees who shared their views with the delegation.  The U.S. delegation also met with Iraqi government officials and representatives from international organizations operating at the camps to discuss ways to further improve the humanitarian situation there.  Addressing local authorities, Ambassador Knight said, “The Government of Iraq has responded admirably to the Syrian refugee situation in coordination with international organizations to ensure conditions in the camps meet or surpass international standards.”  Director Staal assured camp residents that the United States is working with the Government of Iraq and humanitarian partners to improve assistance to Syrian refugees in Iraq, and to ensure that the assistance reaches those who need it.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are over 75,000 Syrian refugees displaced to Iraq.  The United States provides food aid, medical supplies, emergency and basic health care, shelter materials, clean water, hygiene education and supplies, and other relief supplies—including blankets and heaters—to help those affected by the crisis in Syria.