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The Iraq Rehabilitation Project
Where: Baghdad and Karbala, Iraq
Local partners Muslim Hands Iraq and Iraq Al-Amal
Donor: CIDA
After years of living under sanctions and more recently the devastation caused from the current conflict, the social infrastructure of Iraq has been devastated and is insufficient to meet the most basic needs of the population. The situation for children, youth and civilians has worsened since the pre-war period with water facilities operating at 65% capacity, educational services in ruins and hospitals destroyed and under-equipped. Crimes against women such as rape, abduction, domestic violence and honor killings have risen dramatically and a significant number of Iraqi children have been directly psychologically affected by the conflict.
War Child Canada is working with their local partner, Muslim Hands, to rehabilitate local public schools, improve educational resources and infrastructure to support the education and healthy emotional development of approximately 2,000-3,000 children. The project will also focus on capacity building professionals and women to better equip them to care for children both physically and psychologically.
Working with its local partner, Al Amal, War Child Canada is providing training in peace-building, conflict resolution and youth engagement. By establishing a resource and training centre in Baghdad, youth, especially girls, will be connected through War Child Canada’s existing and innovative No War Zone website to a community of youth around the world working together for peace, human rights and understanding.
The primary focus of this war Child Supported project is to provide the opportunity for children, youth, women and other vulnerable community members to recover and rebuild from the trauma of war, violence and poverty.
Quick Background Facts
Half of Iraq's population is under 18
1 in 8 children die before the age of five
One in four children aged under five are chronically malnourished
The incidence of preventable disease has increased more than 100% since 1990
Five million people lack access to safe water
70% of all schools need repairs
Iraqi Teachers earn $5-$8 per month .
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