Life in Europe not as expected: hundreds of Iraqis return home

Euronews - A growing number of Iraqis are returning home from Germany, citing a lengthy asylum process, bland food and poor shelters as reasons for leaving.

The number of returnees began rising in the final months of 2015. In December, 200 Iraqis headed back home.

The increase in demand has pushed Iraqi Airways to operate three flights per week – from Berlin, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt.

Airline employee Andesha Karim said:

“We have three flights per week, almost 100 refugees per week… The numbers are going up continually. It started last September and the numbers keep going up.”

Many are returning, they say, with less than they had on arrival in Germany. The International Organization for Migration is providing financial assistance for those who cannot afford the airfare.

The Iraqi embassy has provided one-way travel documents for many wishing to return home.