IRAQ

War Child UK has been working in Iraq since 2003. We are one of the few international Non-Governmental Organisations offering child protection.

Our work is currently focused on three of the most disadvantaged groups; Marsh Arabs, Bedouin and Internally Displaced Communities, to increase education opportunities and promote child protection and rights.

Education

Our aim is to increase the very low school attendance rates in the South by helping children access schools by providing: alternatives for child labourers, livelihood grants for children and families, school uniforms and materials. We’re also working to improve the quality of classrooms and playgrounds and targeting the Ministry of Education to improve teaching standards as well as working with communities to raise awareness of the importance of education.

Child protection

Child Protection Committees and Children’s Groups are being set up in slum and rural communities. The Child Protection Committees will lobby government to provide services for children affected by violence and address issues of risk to children within their communities for example by setting up safe play areas that are safe from unexploded ordinance and repairing dangerous paths to schools.

The Children’s Groups provide education in essential life skills. A specific group targeting vulnerable girls who are not in school will provide an opportunity to meet others, share problems, build self-esteem and improve literacy.

[For security reasons the icons do not accurately depict the location of our projects in Iraq]