United Nations Radio

The UN refugee agency-UNHCR is seeking resettlement homes for nearly 3,000 Palestinian refugees who have been stranded on the Iraqi-Syrian border and in Baghdad for more than two years.

And Spokesman Ron Redmond says almost half of the refugees are considered to be highly vulnerable - having life threatening diseases, needing urgent medical treatment or fearing persecution if they return.

"The majority fled Baghdad since 2003 because of threats, torture, detention, or after friends and family members were killed. The steady drain on financial resources has forced middle class families into the ranks of the poor. They're in need of housing, food, medical and cash assistance."

Redmond says living conditions at the border camps are extremely difficult, unsafe and continue to deteriorate.

He says refugees face extreme temperatures and regular sandstorms in the desert.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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