U.N. to help Iraq with returning refugees

BAGHDAD, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The United Nations announced it will help the Iraqi government with the increasing number of refugees returning to their homes.

In a statement, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Staffan de Mistura said the assistance is a result of a request by the Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration.

As there are indications that both refugees and (internally displaced people) are starting to return back to their homes, we stand behind the Iraqi government in ensuring that this initial positive return is properly assisted and implemented," Mistura said.

Aid and relief agencies estimate 2 million people fled the country since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion and subsequent sectarian fighting, while another 2.3 million left their homes for other parts of Iraq.

The assistance will include technical advice, developing monitoring and data-gathering tools and providing capacity-building support to the ministry, a U.N. statement said.