In recent years, large numbers of Iraqi citizens have left their country, escaping the violence and turmoil afflicting their homeland. Many have taken up residence in urban centres of neighbouring and nearby states, including Amman (Jordan), Beirut (Lebanon), Aleppo and Damascus (Syria). While UNHCR’s task in responding to this situation has been facilitated by the generous admission policies of those three countries, the organization had not planned for this scenario and was unfamiliar with the challenge of dealing with such large populations of urban refugees.
