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DEFENDERS
46
Au t umn&wi n t e r
2 0 1 4 & 2 0 1 5
Introduction
Approximately 17,000 NGOs and charities
are active across Iran, and alongside providing
services to Iranians they also have provided
support without prejudice for refugees too who
have for the last three decades lived in Iran.
According to official figures released by the
Iranian government which is confirmed by the
UNHCR, currently there is a population of over
003,000 refugees in various provinces of Iran
in 20 refugee camps 43,000 of which are Iraqis
and the rest Afghan refugees.
The high number of refugees and particularly
their dispersal across Iran has caused a lot of
challenges and limitations for NGOs. Despite
all these problems, NGOs provide necessary
services voluntarily without prejudice to
vulnerable individuals, including vulnerable
refugees, even in the remotest parts of the
country.In view of the extent of NGOs’
activities and their number, only the names of
some NGOs and the services that they provide
in important areas are mentioned below.
Education
One of the most important needs of children,
juvenile and even adult refugees is education.
according to a UNHCR report, 318,844 refugee
students are currently studying in Iran.Although
currently on the orders of the government
these refugees do not have to pay any fees
for education, but NGOs have taken notable
measures in covering refugees’ other needs.
Among these, as well as supportive measures
such as holding various consultation sittings
towards the protection of refugee women
and children, the Protection of Women and
Children Refugees Association (HAMI) has
launched four schools for refugees in Tehran
(three in Shoorabad and one in Kan) and one in
Mashhad. In the near future a school will open
in Semnan province. over 1200 refugee children
are benefiting from free education services in
these schools.
The Child Labour Protection Association to
has is active in four pre-school, primary school,
secondary school and college levels, which on
a daily basis holds 51 educational classes for
more than 912 children in various centres of the
association.
With the cooperation of the UNHCR, the
Organization for DefendingVictims ofViolence
(in Special Consultative Status to ECOSOC)
to-date has held three various education courses
for Afghan refugees in Tehran and Semnan.
According to figures released by the Child
Foundation (in Special Consultative Status to
ECOSOC), this Foundation has supported and
covered 6511 refugees and Iranians in various
levels (including 3069 in primary school, 830
in secondary school, 1473 in college, 244 pre-
university and 744 in university).
Health
Overall the livelihood and economic levels
of refugees are lower in comparison with the
citizens of host countries and therefore they are
more vulnerable. In most instances refugees
delay seeking medical attention till they are
very sick, which itself causes an increase in the
cost of the treatment of the refugees for support
organizations and the host country. also, in view
of the high medical treatment costs, NGOs
themselves are also faced with limitations.
Alongside these problems with the cooperation
of the Iranian government towards health and
medical support for refugees, the UNHCR has
insured more than 220,000 vulnerable Afghan
and Iraqi refugees. The Iranian Health Ministry
has also covered the vaccination of refugee
children and mother and child medical care
in the routine of its programmes. In line with
this NGOs are active in healthcare such as the
Association in Support of Cancer Children
(in Special Consultative Status to ECOSOC)
Behnam Daheshpoor Charity Institute (in
Special Consultative Status to ECOSOC), the
Family Planning Association of the Islamic
Republic of Iran (in Special Consultative Status
to ECOSOC), Zanjireh Omid International
Charity Institute (in Special Consultative Status
to ECOSOC), Sun House, Special Diseases
Affairs Foundation (in Special Consultative
Status to ECOSOC), Iraqi Refugees Aid
Committee are providing supplementary
support services for refugees in different
provinces. Alongside these organizations, there
are other large and small organizations in all
corners of Iran that provide various services to
refugees.
Activities of NGOs in Support of Refugees and Foreign
Nationals Residing in IR Iran
Over the recent decades
Iran has been a safe
haven for many refugees
and migrants from
neighbouring countries.
The existence of refugees
on a large scale in any
country results in changes
taking place in the fabric
and needs of society, and
subsequently institutues
and bodies are formed
to answer these needs,
and NGOs are a part of
these created institutions.
Also, refugees are always
one of the subjects in
recommendations given
in the UPR on Iran. The
below text glances at the
activities of some of the
Iranian NGOs active on
the subject of refugees