Children waving at a camp in Iraq.
Where we work

Iraq

The aftermath of war in Iraq has left thousands of children and youth in need of War Child’s education support, child protection services and vocational skills training in order to build the foundation for a future with lasting peace. 

The devastating impacts of war in Iraq are still being felt by children and their families across the country.  

Conflict has caused mass displacement in Iraq, with over 1 million Iraqis - over half of which are children – currently displaced across the country. Despite the official end of the conflict with the Islamic State (IS), persistent economic, political and security challenges remain for Iraqi children and their families.
 
With the recent surge of camp closures by the government, many families are now being forced to leave the homes they had built to return to their areas of origin, many of which have been completely destroyed and lack adequate access to basic services. Millions more children live in communities devastated by conflict, though not displaced, and are left out of the humanitarian response entirely. With lack of a safe shelter and little support being provided by the government, these families are being placed at even greater risk. 

More than 3 million children are currently out of school and many schools are in desperate need of rehabilitation. The devastating effects of the conflict have also caused serious damage to the mental health of Iraqi children and their families. Less than 10% of all Iraqi children have access to pre-primary education, with the percentage even lower in conflict-affected communities. 
 

Scale of the challenge

  • 1.2 M

    People internally displaced due to conflict and insecurity.

  • 1.1 M

    Children in need of humanitarian assistance.

  • 3.2 M

    Children currently out of school.

Our work in Iraq 

War Child began working in Iraq in Baghdad (Federal Iraq) in 2004 and expanded into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) in 2014. We operate out of offices in Erbil, Mosul and Baghdad, working in partnership with local and national NGOs, in consortium with other international NGOs and with government Ministries. Currently, War Child’s programmes are being delivered in Nineveh, Baghdad, Anbar, and Basra where we are providing essential early childhood development and education support, combined with mental health support for vulnerable children and their families. 

 

In 2022 War Child’s programmes include: 

  • Providing mental health support for children recovering from the impacts of war.
  • Supporting children’s return and retention in school through the delivery of early childhood development (ECD) sessions.
  • Training teachers to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver quality learning in schools.
  • Supporting children’s education through the rehabilitation of classrooms and the provision of school furniture and learning equipment.
  • Providing families with cash relief to support incomes and ensure vulnerable children are able to attend school.   

  

Participant Soleen carries her younger brother in their home.
When IS forces attacked their village, Soleen and her family were forced to flee their home. Now living in a camp for those displaced by the conflict, Soleen attends a War Child community centre where she can play and learn. Credit: Arete.
Now I go to the War Child centre and love to learn and play with my friends. I'm so happy I get to learn new things that are important and useful.
Soleen, Iraq.

We never give up on children like Soleen. 

Despite the end to the conflict in Iraq, children just like Soleen and their families are still in desperate need of support. With your help, we can continue to be there for them.

Please, donate today. 

Donate now

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