Atrush Camp, Northern Iraq

HL Deb 18 February 1997 vol 578 cc42-3WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have about the fate of the inhabitants of the Atrush refugee camp in Northern Iraq since the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stopped delivering humanitarian aid or providing protection to the residents; how many persons are estimated to remain in Atrush, and what assessment has been made by the UNHCR of their health and nutritional problems.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We understand that a number of refugees have left the Atrush camp but that some 8,000–12,000 remain. We understand from the UNHCR that it has made no assessment of their health or nutritional problems. The UNHCR is ready to help refugees from the camp to resettle.