ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – When Syria descended into civil war in 2011, tens of thousands of Syrian Kurds fled from Aleppo and Hasaka to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Although they share much in common culturally, there remain economic barriers to their integration, a new report has found. ‘Far from home: Future prospects for Syrian refugees in Iraq’, published Tuesday, found Syrian refugees living in Erbil, Duhok, and Qaim in Anbar have ongoing difficulties accessing income-generating opportunities and documentation. This harms their ability to travel, find work, establish businesses, buy or rent property, access justice and services, and integrate economically. “Since the start of the Syrian conflict, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has shown hospitality and positive efforts in accommodating the influx of Syrian refugees despite Iraq’s domestic challenges and difficult circumstances,” the report states. “However, findings illustrate gaps in basic needs and protection for both Syrian refugees and the host community. Community tension could worsen if gaps, including perceived gaps, in access are not adequately addressed.” The report places part of the blame on the Region’s financial difficulties and the vast number of Iraqi IDPs simultaneously placing strain on infrastructure. “Overall, Syrian refugees reported integration challenges to have shifted from socio-cultural barriers to economic barriers over the years,” the report states. “Given KRI’s economic decline – due to the arrival of IDPs causing additional resource constraints, halt of transfers from the central budget, drop of oil prices, among other factors – access to jobs became an increasing challenge and source of community tension,” it added. A major issue, however, is documentation and status. Without the option of becoming full Iraqi citizens, many avenues for integration are closed to Syrian refugees. “As there is currently no legal pathway offered to Syrian refugees to obtain Iraqi citizenship; legal restrictions remain a significant barrier to full integration,” the report states. “Syrian refugees reported experiencing fewer rights compared to Iraqis, such as in freedom of movement from the KRI to the rest of Iraq, and facing restrictions in their ability to start businesses or own property,” it added. Half of Syria’s pre-war population has been displaced by the conflict, contributing to the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War. The majority of Syrians who fled east to Iraq – 251,793 of them as of October 2018, according to UNHCR figures – ended up in camps and communities across the Kurdistan Region. Owing to the lack of security, services, and economic opportunities is Syria, the majority of Syrian refugees in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are keen to stay put in the short term. Longer term, intentions are mixed. Some 37 percent of Syrian refugees who spoke to researchers said they hope to integrate locally. Meanwhile, 33 percent intend to resettle to a third country and just 25 percent said they want to return to Syria. Five percent remain undecided. The report calls on local authorities to remove legal barriers for refugees seeking registration or renewal of civil documentation, allow freedom of movement, free up housing, land, and property rights, allow them to establish businesses, and access justice. Syrian refugees must be included in the national agenda, it states, ensuring rights, financial resources, and long-term protection. This should include job creation and infrastructure and schooling offered in Arabic and Kurdish dialects. The report also calls on the humanitarian sector and international community to continue monitoring, funding, and facilitating reforms in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and to press for the protection of refugee rights. The report was compiled jointly by the Durable Solutions Platform, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the Norwegian Refugee Council, IMPACT Initiatives, the European Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP), and International Crisis Group.
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