VOA标准英语10月-UN: Thousands of Iraqi Christians Flee Mosul

时间：2008-11-12 06:39:30

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The U.N. refugee agency says almost half of the Christian¹ population in the Iraqi city of Mosul has fled after attacks and threats. UNHCR says nearly 10,000 people have fled to other areas in the past week. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.

The U.N. refugee agency says the Ministry² of Displacement³ and Migration⁴ in Mosul reports more than 1,500 families have been displaced so far. It says it cannot confirm the exact figure, but is very concerned about the situation in Mosul that is causing this mass displacement of Christians⁵.

U.N. refugee spokesman, Ron Redmond, says at least 10 field assessment⁶ missions have gone to areas surrounding Mosul to check on the situation. He says initial reports indicate most Christian Iraqis decided⁷ to leave the city following direct as well as indirect threats or intimidation⁸.

"One of those interviewed witnessed the killing⁹ of a Christian Iraqi on the street, while several of the displaced told us that they had received printed threats at the university campuses, in their homes and through text messages on their mobile phones," he said. "Several others told our teams that they left when they heard news of 11 reported killings¹⁰ of Christians in Mosul. And, others were warned by family members, friends, neighbors of potential threats and they decided to leave before it was too late."

Redmond says there is no firm indication as to who is issuing these threats. He says the Iraqi authorities reportedly have deployed¹¹ more than 1,000 additional police to Mosul to protect the Christians.

Mosul is about 390 kilometers north of Baghdad. It remains¹² one of Iraq's more violent cities. The Iraqi authorities and U.S. military say al-Qaida and the Sunni Islamist militant¹³ group allied¹⁴ to Osama bin¹⁵ Laden¹⁶ are still active in Mosul.

Redmond says the thousands of Christians who fled Mosul to other areas have many needs.

"Most of those who fled are staying with extended family members. There is an urgent need for food, clothing, non-food items like mattresses¹⁷, blankets, stoves. They also need access to health facilities, hygiene¹⁸ kits¹⁹, clean water and their children, of course, are unable to go to school, so things need to be done to get them into classrooms," he said.

Redmond says most of the displaced say they fear for their lives and are not thinking of returning home for now. A few said they would only return if and when their safety and security could be assured by the local authorities.

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VOA标准英语10月-UN: Thousands of Iraqi Christians Flee Mosul

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