According to the last official statistics from 2011, a little over 42,500 Iraqi refugees are registered in Iran. However in June 2014, the government indicated this number to be 32,000. The majority of Iraqi refugees reside predominantly in urban areas (Tehran, Qom, Yazd, Khuzestan, Khorasan Razavi, Ilam and Isfahan) while some 1,500 refugees live in settlements. As is the case for Afghan refugees, registered Iraqis are issued with Amayesh cards, subject to annual renewal. All Amayesh card-holders enjoy refugee status and receive access to legal and other socio-economic rights in the country.
The Iraqi Constitution and the 2006 Nationality Law provide for the reacquisition of nationality and restitution of property for Iraqis who have been stripped of either. They face certain difficulties, including the acquisition of the requisite documentation (passports or entry authorization by Iraqi authorities). While UNHCR has not received complaints or concerns from those who have managed to return to Iraq, the office will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the administrative processes for re-acquisition of nationality is accessible to all returnees. In 2013, around 770 Iraqi refugees repatriated from Iran with UNHCR’s assistance, and three Iraqi refugees were resettled.
Education: UNHCR will reinforce its partnership with Ministry of Education to ensure continued access to education for the 10,000 Iraqi refugee students.
Livelihoods: In order to expand and support livelihoods opportunities for Iraqi refugees, UNHCR and the Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO), the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (BAFIA), and the Ministry of the Interior (MoI), enrolled close to 100 Iraqi refugees in eight vocational courses (tailoring, carpet tableau weaving, ceramic carving, electrician, welding, bag making).
Health: The health insurance scheme in 2013-2014 benefited over 10,400 Iraqi refugees. In parallel, the Iraq Refugee Aid Council (IRAC) continued to cover the medical and out of pocket costs of around 990 vulnerable Iraqi refugees. The Ministry of Health (MoH) also continued to provide primary health care services to all Iraqi refugees.