Note: Map production date estimated.

Ongoing conflict has forced more than 4.6 million Iraqis from their homes, with some 1 million having been displaced prior to the 2003 U.S. invasion, and another 3.6 million displaced, both inside and outside Iraq, since 2003. As many as half of those have sought safety in neighboring Jordan and Syria. It is estimated one in every six Iraqis has fled to seek safety.

A recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated that: "Shelter consistently remains a top priority need listed by IDPs. The majority (59%) of IDPs

By Maziar Taleshi

On 20 November 2007, a UN inter-agency task force released new mental health guidelines for aid workers providing psychosocial support in emergencies. Here is one in a series of related stories.

BAM, Iran, 4 December 2007 - After the devastating 2003 earthquake in Bam, Athare Majidian, who lives here and works for Iran's Ministry of Education, spent much of her time helping children overcome the effects of this tragic event and develop their resilience for possible future disasters.

As a key member of the team of only 30

Note: Map production date estimated

GA/SHC/3904

Sixty-second General Assembly
Third Committee
41st & 42nd Meetings (AM & PM)

Red Cross Cautions against Preferential Treatment For Displaced People over Other Categories of Victims

As the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today concluded its review of the right of peoples to self-determination, this afternoon, acting without a vote, it approved a draft resolution, as orally amended, that would have the General Assembly designate an international year for human rights learning, commencing 10 December 2008.

GA/SHC/3903

Sixty-second General Assembly
Third Committee
39th & 40th Meetings (AM & PM)

Refugee Figures Rise to Nearly 10 Million After Several Years of Decrease, High Commissioner Tells Committee

A draft resolution that would have the General Assembly declare 15 October of each year as the International Day of Rural Women was approved as orally revised without a vote today by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural), as Member States stepped up collective efforts to better the lot of women living in rural areas.

HERAT, 5 November 2007 (IRIN) - The government of Afghanistan has called on Iran to stop deporting thousands of Afghan citizens without work permits or refugee status, Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told IRIN on 5 November.

"Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to any mass deportation during winter," said Sultan Ahmad Baheen, a spokesman for the ministry, adding that the country lacked the capacity to integrate a large number of deportees.

In April and May this year, Iranian authorities deported thousands of Afghans - a move that caused a humanitarian problem

Note: Districts belong to Sari Pul province are not entered in AMAESH II db while a total of 120 individuals (20 families) have returned to this province from 01 Jun - end Oct 07