War Child Blog

Iraq Appeal launch

admin — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:15:31 +0100

The humanitarian crisis in Iraq is escalating and it's hitting children hardest. Their childhoods are being stripped away from them. Many children have lost a parent or have to flee the communities that have supported them and so are forced to survive and help their families by working on the streets, undertaking hazardous work.

As the last remaining international child protection agency in southern Iraq War Child is determined to continue its work helping children and their families. To do this we urgently need your help to raise £1.5 million

Iraqi children being trained by terrorists

admin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:24:01 +0000

The US military has released footage it claims shows children being trained as Al Qaeda terrorists. There have been reports of children being used as human shields in Iraq before but this is one of the first times we have seen any evidence that children may become directly involved in the insurgency. The video shows children wearing balaclavas, holding weapons and learning how to take hostages and storm buildings. In one particularly disturbing section children are shown making a mock announcement about the killing of a hostage.

Iraqi funding and refugees at risk in Jordan

admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:28:52 +0000

Acting as home to international donor organisations and Iraqi refugees alike, Jordan has become a major outpost of a war that continues to claim lives daily. Our Deputy Programmes Director met with both on her snowy trip to the country.

Changing Situations - A Report From Our Iraqi Translator

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:32:40 +0100

I really don't know how Abu Mohammed's situation changed, but I remember our old neighbour well! He was rich, owning splendid house, comfortable car, large farm, and of course, he had money. This was all before I travel to Jordan in September 2001 to work.

Reporting from Iraq: Internally Displaced People

admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:26:19 +0100

I was so fascinated about what I was seeing in my first month in the field. I didn’t expect to see those areas or think to reach them unless I was with War Child.
Whenever I was hearing sad stories and complaints from the people who live in the marshes, I tried to be strong in front of them and record what they said, but I have been torn inside. I was crying a lot when I came back home and I kept telling my family about the double sufferings of the IDP’s there.

Reporting from Iraq: Losing Trust in the Government

admin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:57:59 +0000

On the basis of religious intolerance, the Shiites in previous elections voted for the United Iraqi Alliance, which consists of Shi’ite parties, and indeed, the Shiites won most of the votes and control.

Everyone knows that the two parties in power and in control are the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution and the Dawa Party, and they are also the two major parties that dominate the United Iraqi Alliance – Islamic based parties.

Reporting from Iraq: Children keen to acquire weapons

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:50:51 +0000

Children are carrying weapons of all kinds... Pistols, rifles, mortar launchers, and sometimes even battling in the streets. A familiar sight in Iraqi cities and neighborhoods, but fortunately for these children, the weapons they are using are just mock-ups for games.