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The fighting in Iraq has pushed four million people from their homes. Two million have fled to neighboring countries while the rest have sought refuge elsewhere inside Iraq. This has caused great disruption for children and has left many with no way to go to school. The problem is made worse by the large number of schools that have been forced to close and the high numbers of teachers who have been killed or who have fled the country. In some schools the situation is so bad that children are forced to take their lessons in shifts.

Malnutrition and Disease

The closure and destruction of hospitals and health centers, a shortage of health professionals and a severe lack of clean water, is also having a serious impact on the health of Iraq’s children. With around 8 million Iraqis dependent on humanitarian aid and many people not able to access even basics such as food and shelter, malnutrition and disease are rife. The situation is even bleaker for those children who have lost their parents and may be living on the streets with little or no protection or support.

Rasha ’s story

17-year-old Rasha lives with her mother and two younger sisters in Baghdad. Three years ago the girls’ father was killed in a bomb blast in their neighborhood. His death has left Rasha’s mother struggling to support the family and has left Rasha suffering from post-traumatic stress.

“In the early morning of Dec. 3, 2004, I woke up terrified by a frightening blast that shook the foundations of our house. I saw smashed glass and dust all around me. I smelled the smoke of the blast, and heard the screams of the people,” Rasha said.

Tragically, Rasha’s father and uncle died in the blast and another uncle was seriously injured. Rasha has been deeply affected by her loss and still suffers from depression. She feels responsible for her mother who has also become ill as a result of the tragedy and even dropped out of school for a while to care for her. Most children in Iraq have experienced some kind of trauma like Rasha but few receive any kind of support to help them deal with their anxiety and loss.

A year after her husband’s death, Rasha’s mother returned to her job, but it has been difficult to care for her three daughters on her one small salary. Nobody in her family is in a position to help as they too have lost fathers and husbands in the violence.

“I have been living in this tragedy for almost three years now and the security situation has severely deteriorated,” said Rasha. “Death and killing have become normal in Baghdad. People in Iraq know they may be killed or injured just by walking on the streets.”

Islamic Relief began sponsoring Rasha’s seven-year-old sister Duha in 2006. The sponsorship is a massive help to the family and helps provide them with basic items as well as ensuring the girls can continue at school.

“You do not know and cannot see my sister’s happiness when she comes back from Islamic Relief ’s office with her gifts and money,” Rasha told us. “This makes me happy and puts an end to my sadness.”

Islamic Relief has been supporting orphans in Iraq since 2004. Orphans are provided with basic items such as food, clothing and decent shelter, as well as supporting access to health care and education.

As part of Islamic Relief ’s work to support children in Iraq they also do extensive work with schools throughout the country. This includes the rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities, hygiene and dental health sessions and the provision of school equipment, furniture and hygiene kits to pupils.

Click here to read about more about Islamic Relief in Iraq