Iraq
Giving back perspectives
Situation report
Iraq is a country between war and peace, between construction and destruction, between diversity and emptiness. Even years after the official end of the last war, power struggles are still taking place, the weak are discriminated against and many are looking for lasting prospects and real peace. Violent groups hinder the reconstruction of destroyed towns and villages and put a stop to peaceful coexistence.
The recently formed new government has taken many good steps, but must try to satisfy different sides: Iran, Turkey, the USA, the autonomous region of Kurdistan and the central government in Baghdad all have different interests and are trying to assert them. The government is also trying to combat the still widespread corruption and nepotism.
According to UN figures, there are still more than 1.1 million internally displaced persons in Iraq. Despite decreasing international support, their need remains high. Due to the security and economic situation, many still have no hope of leading an independent life in Iraq or making a new start in their old homeland.
Minorities continue to suffer from their marginalized position in Iraqi society. They are often neglected in their region, meaning that they have reduced access to public goods such as electricity or water. Unfortunately, in 2023 Iraq remained a country in which individuals and militant groups were more concerned with maintaining their power than with addressing the need and working on reconstruction. Many people, especially members of minorities, continue to suffer as a result.
1. survival aid for internally displaced persons
Anugerah helped local teams to distribute food due to the continuing high level of need among many internally displaced people and those left behind. A total of more than 12,800 food parcels were distributed at regular intervals throughout the country. The food parcels consisted of basic foodstuffs and provided the recipients with a basic supply of food. In addition to the material aid, the food parcels were a sign to the recipients that they are not forgotten in the midst of their need.
2. trauma management and medical help
With its trusted partners, Anugerah was once again able to provide valuable medical aid for internally displaced persons and members of minorities this year. This was done through the Anugerah-funded Mobile Clinic, which traveled to remote mountain villages of minorities and camps for internally displaced persons to offer consultations. The inhabitants of the villages and camps usually have no other access to quick and basic medical help. More than 500 patients could be treated every month on three days a week.
Anugerah also continued its support for the trauma center, which was funded last year. Young women and girls suffering from trauma found a place here where they were helped to deal with their experiences. They were given life-affirming tools to encourage the women in their everyday lives and in the event of relapses. In addition, the participants were given introductions to tailoring or hairdressing of their own choice. This not only helped their self-esteem, but also enabled them to support their families financially with the skills they had learned. The majority of participants in the trauma courses came from the Yazidi minority. They were persecuted particularly harshly by IS: Many of the women and girls were abducted, sold, forcibly married and raped. Their Trauma Palace is huge, but the Trauma Center financed by Anugerah is facing it with courage and confidence.
3. education and income support
As described above, members of minorities in Iraq sometimes experience neglect in their region. This applies, for example, to the organization of school transport, which reduces the educational opportunities and thus also the future prospects of children from the relevant minorities. Anugerah carried out a project in cooperation with the local partner so that schoolchildren from these minorities were able to attend school after all. In total, more than 600 children and young people benefited from this transport last school year.
Project summary
Looking back on its involvement in 2023, Anugerah can give positive feedback. Many needy people received help in their time of need in a wide variety of areas: school education, trauma management, mobile clinics and food distributions. Despite adverse circumstances and in the hope of an improvement in the overall political situation in the Middle East, Anugerah is grateful for the results achieved. Finally, we would like to thank our partners in Iraq, the local authorities and our supporters for their good cooperation and loyalty.