Who Will Solve Iraq's Refugee Crisis?

Commenting on President Bush's unilateral decision to invade Iraq based on what proved to be only a grain of convincing evidences, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said in 2004, "In Iraq, we see civilians massacred in cold blood, while relief workers, journalists and other non-combatants are taken hostage and put to death in the most barbarous fashion. At the same time, we have seen Iraqi prisoners disgracefully abused."

To be sure, the war waging in Iraq has not vacated media headlines since its March of 2003 "Shock and Awe" commencement. Public statements from recognized officials, such as the one made above, harvest the world's attention and underscore the continuing international quandaries of a very unpopular war. Kofi Annan no longer holds that post, but the frenzied debates over Iraq have continued their upsurge.

Yet, amid the daily headlines of roadside blasts and suicide bombers, among the day by day reportings of more allied deaths and mistaken civilian killings, another crisis exists. It is nameless and without significant attention. The crumbling infrastructure and ethnic mayhem has produced fallout of grand proportion, as over 50,000 Iraqis have fled their homeland each month, according to U.N. estimates.

This war in Iraq has caused one the most severe displacement crises in history. But is anyone paying attention? Iraq is hemorrhaging its people, and no one seems to know what to do about it.

The numbers themselves are so high they've almost become unbelievable. According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, almost 5 million Iraqis have been forced to relocate. This figure represents over 17% of their total population, and it continues to rise. Iraqis have escaped to inadequate refugee centers and camps, and have fled their border to host countries like Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. Others have sought safe haven in the United States. In 2006, Iraqis became the leading nationality seeking asylum in European countries. And over 2 million are internally displaced, forced from their homes by civil war and sectarian cleansing.

For those who have stayed, refugee camps struggle to support the swelling numbers. Poor and penniless Iraqis, desperate for aid, have crammed themselves into crowded rooms that serve as home. They have left everything behind, or really, for far too many they left nothingbehind, as their homes and businesses were destroyed and family members were buried. They have grown weary of seeing corpses in their streets every day. For those that have left, few would consider return to Iraq as an option.

Refugees have overwhelmed surrounding nations, which has raised concerns over the continued destabilization of the region. The governments of these host nations, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon in particular, are reluctant to grant exiting Iraqis with any official status or social services. Though most Iraqis have viable skills, having worked as doctors, teachers and the like, they are restricted from practicing their trades.

Additionally, many fear to formally work because of the possibility of background checks and deportation. Housing assistance, education and medical needs all largely go unanswered. In response, the Iraqi government has provided $25 million to Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon to help meet the needs of refugees. This amounts to an estimated paltry $8 per refugee. Many of these countries have now been forced to close their borders and issue visa restrictions, a move supported by the Iraq government.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees. Has this agency been effective in combating this crisis? Hardly, and the proof is measurable.

For example, according to its web site, the UNHCR's budget for Iraqis displaced to Syria in 2006 was a mere $700,000, less than one dollar per refugee. The UNHCR simply does not have enough resources to assist Iraqi refugees in the Middle East. The agency received $152 million in funding in 2007, but this trickles down to a meager $30 per refugee.

The U.S. response to this crisis has been shockingly insufficient and equally incompetent. In fiscal year 2006, just 202 refugees from Iraq were allowed to resettle in the United States. As a result of growing international pressure, in June of 2007 the Bush administration said it was ready to admit 7,000 Iraqi refugees. Seven thousand visas for 5 million Iraqis who have fled their country or are internally displaced... a laughable and regrettable reply. The United States fell far short of this promise, settling only 1,608 refugees on U.S. soil in 2007.

To be sure, the past administration has taken no significant steps to ease this refugee crisis. A crisis that they themselves carry the burden for creating. Of the refugees' status, Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy said, "We can't solve the problem alone, but we obviously bear a heavy responsibility for the crisis."

A political response is not enough. Financially, nations must support diplomatic efforts in Iraq to see that this problem is curtailed, and bilateral agreements need to be reached between the U.S. and Iraq to increase Iraq's capacity to respond to the needs of its people. But can this be done? Is it realistic to expect sweeping changes that will resettle all displaced individuals?

Reflecting on this past, and looking forward to the future, it is clear that the world nations, governed by imperfect individuals, cannot solve a problem as simple as assuring that all people have a home.

Jesus Christ foretold that our day would be one of great turmoil, a time marked by wars and food shortages. (Matthew 24:7) Certainly, these two factors have driven millions from their homes. Why individuals do not see that hope rests only in God's Kingdom alone is bewildering.

The Bible makes it very clear that God's Kingdom, under the rulership of Christ Jesus, will end all suffering that now exists on the earth. Under kingdom rule, our earthly home will become a paradise of peace, plenty, and everlasting happiness for obedient mankind. (Psalm 72:1, 3, 16)

As a Creator, God formed the earth for a specific purpose, as any creator or inventor does. Isaiah 45:18 tells us, "This is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the true God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: 'I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.'"

Thus, the earth was created specifically for human habitation. Furthermore, it is God's purpose for the earth to be an eternal home for mankind. "He has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever." (Psalm 104:5; 119:90)

Clearly, the earth was meant to be inhabited, and to support all life in abundance. Our earth has been divvied up, chopped to pieces, polluted and made largely inhabitable. Scientists estimate that if the earth were used to its full capacity, everyone who has ever lived, including the current population, would have in excess of one acre each.

God's original purpose for the earth remains unchanged. We know this because of the multitude of scriptures that reveal his divine purpose. (Psalm 25:13; 37:9, 22, 29, 34) Furthermore, the Scriptures describe those blessed by God as dwelling in security, each sitting "under his vine and under his fig tree," with "no one making them tremble." (Micah 4:4; Ezekiel 34:28) Those who enjoy this perfect habitation "will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage." Even a need as basic as providing food is mismanaged and botched by governments. Not so under divine rule.

As Psalms 37:11 assures us, will you be among the meek who will inherit this earth?