BAGHDAD, Iraq:The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said Wednesday that over 700,000 Iraqis fled their homes amid the violence that surged after the bombing of Al-Askariyain holy shrine in Samarra on February 22, 2006.

In its January to March 2007 report on the human rights situation in Iraq, UNAMI said these people were in addition to the 1.2 million displaced before February 22 last year's demolition of the revered shrine at the hands of terrorists.

According to the report, with 120,000 internal refugees, Baghdad has borne the brunt of the chaos.

"Many of these were displaced from within Baghdad, moving to more ethnically homogenous and safer areas, while their houses were either given to or were occupied by other displaced families," the report said.

Almost 87 percent of the displaced people are seeking refuge in the centre and south of the country, it added.

The report further said that up to eight million Iraqis were in "vulnerable" position and needed immediate assistance.