More than two million Iraqi refugees are trapped in a cycle of poverty and fear. Over half a million of these are of school-age children, many with no access to education or psychological support, according to research by World Vision.

As leaders convene at the UN High Commission for Refugees conference in Geneva, World Vision joins with organisations across the world calling for a way forward for up to two million Iraqi refugees.

World Vision will launch a report on the situation of Iraqi children in Jordan. The report 'Trapped! Unlocking the future of Iraqi refugee children' - the result of interviews with more than 100 families in Amman, Jordan – highlights what it calls 'a devastated and scattered generation trapped with little hope for the future.'

Boys and girls told researchers terrifying personal accounts of their lives in Iraq. They spoke of violence, kidnappings, murder and bomb-blasts that have wrought untold psychological damage. 'These findings expose the harsh reality that children and refugee families are facing,' said Ashley Clements, emergency advocacy specialist for World Vision and author of the report.

The terror experienced by these children has come to the attention of local organisations but without adequate resources too little is being done for them. Many of the children do not have access to public schools and cannot afford to attend private schools. 'School is vital for these children to regain hope for the future,' said Clements. 'As well as education it provides a safe and structured environment for children to develop and regain a sense of normality.'

The report also includes recommendations for a range of decision-makers, governments, NGOS and the UN – on how to improve the lives of these children. These will be presented at the UNHCR conference, and include calls on the international community to:

Provide adequate funding for desperately needed education solutions, easing the burden on host countries.
Accept increased admissions to other countries, particularly for families with children.

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World Vision staff will be attending the conference in Geneva. For more information or interviews please contact:

Chris Webster, Emergency Communication Officer, World Vision
Mobile: +962 796394924
Email: chris.webster@worldvision.org.uk (in Jordan)
Based in Amman, Jordan.

Rienk van Velzen, Regional Communications Director, World Vision
Mobile: +31 651832040
Email: rienk_van_velzen@wvi.org
Based in Holland

Notes to Editors

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities world-wide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our Christian faith, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Copies of the report, stories and video clips are available at: www.iraqichildrentrapped.org

World Vision is working with local partners to assist 10,000 refugees in Jordan with food, basic household items, health care and special programmes for children who cannot attend school. World Vision hopes to expand its response to the Iraqi refugee crisis, as funding is secured and additional partners identified.

World Vision has served vulnerable and impoverished families in the Middle East for three decades, and operates in Lebanon, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

The UNHCR Conference is entitled 'International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Inside Iraq and Neighbouring Countries' and takes place 17-18 April 2007 at The Palais de Nations, Geneva.