The war in Iraq has uprooted millions of Iraqi men, women and children. Thousands who are still in exile have little or no prospect of a safe return home. But a flawed U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is resettling Iraqi refugees into poverty rather than helping rebuild their lives in the country that offered them sanctuary. The International Rescue Committee calls for an overhaul of the system.

• On top of linguistic, educational, and cultural challenges, a troubling economic climate puts newly arrived refuges at serious risk of hunger and homelessness. In April, delegates of an IRC commission traveled to two U.S. cities to see firsthand how resettled Iraqis are adjusting to their new life in America.
   
  Story l NEW IRC Report l 2008 Report

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• 26 Jun 2009 | US - Phoenix, AZ A Frightening Past, an Uncertain Future: Hajer’s story 16 Jun 2009 Flawed US Refugee Admissions Program is Failing Iraqi Refugees; Recession Only Makes Matters Worse - IRC Commission Calls for Overhaul of Resettlement System 03 Feb 2009 | US - New York, NY Iraqi Heavy Metal Band United at Last 16 Dec 2008 | Iraq IRC Infuses New Life into Iraq Blood Bank More News >

  
  

• IRAQ BLOG >

  
  

  06 Mar 2009 | Blog RSS “Dear Mr. President”: Advocating for Iraqi refugees 27 Feb 2009 | Blog RSS President Obama on help for displaced Iraqis 25 Feb 2009 | Blog RSS “Where can Iraqis go?” 19 Feb 2009 | Blog RSS Reunited Iraqi band featured on Fox News

How You Can Help


Urge President Obama and Secretary Clinton to modernize the U.S. Refugee Admission Program and increase funding to welcome and assist Iraqi refugees and others who are fleeing persecution and violence
Sign the petition >
 



How We Help


Learn how we are aiding displaced families in Iraq, Jordan and Syria and giving a helping hand to Iraqi families granted refuge in the United States.
Refugee resettlement in the U.S. fact sheet >
 



Iraqi Band Reunited


Forced by death threats to split up and flee Iraq, the members of "Heavy Metal in Baghdad" band Acrassicauda lived as refugees in Syria and Turkey for nearly three years.
How the IRC brought the musicians back together >