Support Iraqi Refugees Through Music Damascus, 17 June 2009 - UNHCR has helped three Iraqi refugee musicians release their first album on some of the world’s leading music-sharing sites. At a cost of less than US$1 per song, now anyone can make a direct contribution to the well-being of Iraqis in exile. “Transitions,” comprising 15 tracks put together by Salim Salem, Abdel Mounem Ahmad and Fadi Fares Aziz made its online debut Thursday (June 11) on iTunes, Napster, Amazon, Amie Street, IMVU, lala, ShockHound, Rhapsody and emusic. The three used their collective experiences of life as refugees, their transitions and the uncertainty of exile as inspiration for their captivating and calming music - a mix of ancient and modern that highlights the richness and diversity of the Iraqi repertoire. Salim plays the oud (lute), Abdel Mounem the ney (pan flute) and Fadi the qanun (a type of zipher). They will donate the profits to a UNHCR-run financial assistance programme that provides a lifeline for over 13,000 Iraqi refugee families unable to work legally in Syria, or lacking savings. To access the music on any of these e-stores, search “Iraqi + Transitions”, or click here to purchase: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TransitionsIraqiMusiciansMove/dp/B002B5OR7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1244628809&sr=8-1   “Transitions” is part of UNHCR’s “Express Yourself” campaign, launched in 2007. The project aims to give a voice to Iraqi talent from within the refugee community in Syria. Many refugees living in Syria are facing a life of extreme poverty. While most fled Iraq with some savings, for many these savings ran out months if not years ago. Although welcomed by the Syrian Government and people, Iraqi refugees do not have the right to work in Syria. The financial assistance programme of the UN Refugee Agency gives the most vulnerable refugees between US$150 to US$200 a month to help them survive. "Refugees are among the most vulnerable people on earth - please remember them on 20th June, World Refugee Day." About UNHCR: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. In more than five decades, the agency has helped an estimated 50 million people restart their lives. Today, a staff of around 6,689 people in 116 countries continues to help 20.8 million persons. For more information, visit www.unhcr.org For further information, please contact: Farah Dakhlallah Public Information Officer +963 932 518 030 dakhlalf@unhcr.org   UNHCR Damascus-Kafarsouseh Kanwat Basatin P. O. Box 30891