United Nations Radio

A survey commissioned by the United Nations refugee agency has shown that the majority of Iraqis living in Syria fled their homeland because of insecurity.

According to the survey of nearly 1,000 Iraqis currently in Syria, 95 percent fled Iraq because of direct threats or general insecurity. Only 4 percent have plans to return to Iraq.

This latest Assessment on Returns to Iraq was carried out for UNHCR by a market research agency in Syria. The agency interviewed Iraqis in the Syrian capital Damascus at the refugee agency's registration and food distribution sites, in community centres or during home visits.

UNHCR spokesperson, Jennifer Pagonis, says those unwilling to return to Iraq were clear about the reasons why.

"Sixty-one percent stated they are under direct threat in Iraq; 29 percent do not want to return because of the general insecurity in Iraq; 8 percent responded that their home in Iraq had been destroyed or is presently occupied by others; 1 percent said they had no job in Iraq; and 1 percent said they had no more relatives left at home."

The United Nations refugee agency says close to five million Iraqis have been uprooted as a result of the crisis in their country.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.

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