Tue, 01 May 2007 16:38:2
Matthew Borghese - AHN Staff Writer
Damascus, Syria (AHN) - Syria will work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide medical assistance to Iraqis fleeing the conflict in their native country.
The U.N and Syria will spend $2 million to renovate hospitals, train staff and buy new equipment, as part of an ongoing effort to deal with the exodus of Iraqis following the fall of the Hussein regime.
Syria, which borders Iraq, has seen an "influx" of refugees, and so far has spent $10 million on various welfare initiatives, with the help of groups like the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the Ministry of Education and the Governorate of Al Hassake.
Since the creation of a new refuge registration center near Damascus, 77,683 displaced Iraqis have been welcomed into Syria. However, the U.N. estimates that two million Iraqis have fled the country, while between 40,000 and 50,000 Iraqis continue to flee each month.
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