Syria - The road to third country resettlement for Iraqi refugees

Only a tiny fraction of the estimated two million Iraqi refugees and asylum-seekers in the Middle East end up being resettled in a third country. Why is this, and how does the system work? Third country resettlement is a possible option for those unable to repatriate or integrate into their host country, according to refugee agencies. Resettlement is explored when refugees are unable to repatriate voluntarily and their life, liberty, safety, health or fundamental human rights are at risk in their country of origin or in the country where they have sought refuge, according to Vincent Cochetel, deputy director of the UN Refugee Agency's (UNHCR) Division of International Protection Services.