by Shaheen Darr

Created on: October 23, 2008   Last Updated: November 21, 2008

Millions of people protesting around the globe did not stop the invasion of Iraq by US and UK forces on the 20th of March 2003. The reason for this invasion was the Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMDs) that Sadam Hussein was allegedly hoarding in Iraq. While these were never found, Sadam's reign of terror was finally brought to an end. The errors of judgement made by Tony Blair and President George Bush in invading Iraq will meanwhile remain topics of debates and discussions in history books for times to come. The world peace that was to be the result of the invasion is still very illusory but one thing that is very real and a direct result of the invasion is the effect it has had on the Iraqi people themselves.

The invasion has not only taken lives of American soldiers who found themselves in Iraq fighting a "war on terror" but thousands of Iraqi citizens who are still dying to this day. In the safety of Western countries where violence and unrest seem alien we have become immune to daily news bulletins of Iraqis dying in street violence or in suicide bombs. We do not realise the true extent of how many Iraqis have been affected since the invasion started. The invasion provided the Sunnis and Shiites sects with adequate fuel to ignite the flame of sectarian violence which killed many and destroyed historic parts and monuments in the country.

According to statistics provided by UNCHR (United Nations Commissioner of Refugees) and Amnesty International, 2.7 million Iraqis have been displaced within Iraq since the invasion. There has been no Iraqi governmental assistance given to compensate or resettle these people in any way. In addition nearly 2 million more Iraqis have been displaced into neighbouring countries like Syria, Jordan and Lebanon with Syria taking the brunt of this influx. Subsequently, there is enormous pressure on housing, food and schools of these host countries where these resources are already in short supply and feelings of resentment are rising. The refugees, some of them skilled, trained professionals have no decent employment and others have resorted to child labour and prostitution to cope. The situation is deteriorating every day unless something is done to help these people get back into some normality of life.

It is imperative for the Iraqi government to assist its displaced population and to make the Western powers aware of the extent of the problem. The displaced Iraqis want to resettle in Western countries because of threats and lack

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