Iraq

• Total population: 37.2 million

• Total population under 18: 17.4 million

• Children affected by conflict: Five million

• Number of War Child projects in 2017: Three

• Number of implementing partner organisations: Two

• Number of partners providing funding: One

• Total child participants: 4,550 (1,127 girls and 3,423 boys)

• Total adult participants: 15 (15 women and 0 men)

Why We’re There

Since the removal of President Saddam Hussein in 2003 Iraq has been beset by violence and instability. Government forces and armed groups - mainly affiliated with Islamic State (IS) - have been engaged in brutal territorial battles over the past four years.

Late 2017 saw the Iraqi military declare ‘victory’ over Islamic State forces and regain control over areas occupied by the armed group. Yet this development came at a significant humanitarian cost - some 3.6 million Iraqis are currently internally displaced. A further 3.2 million returnees are on the move inside the country’s borders.

A generation of children and youth inside Iraq have lived their entire life under brutal and violent circumstances. UNICEF figures show that some 5.1 million Iraqi children are in need of urgent humanitarian aid. These children are exposed to a number of acute rights violations - including the threat of death, sexual violence, abduction and forced recruitment by armed groups.

More than three million Iraqi children have seen their education disrupted - the majority of whom are displaying signs of conflict-related trauma.

What We Do

In 2017 War Child took part in a consortium funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a joint response programme in Iraq. The project - operated in partnership with War Child UK - was designed to provide vulnerable children with protection and psychosocial support.

Northern Iraq Joint Response 3:

War Child was one of 12 NGOs to participate in this major humanitarian intervention as part of our participation in the Dutch Relief Alliance. Our efforts helped to support children from internally displaced families inside northern Iraq with protection and psychosocial support.

Strengthening Child Protection Services in Northern Iraq:

Initiative to improve the wellbeing of displaced children living in refugee camps. The project saw psychosocial support and child protection activities conducted in five ‘child friendly spaces’ inside refugee camps.

Economic Empowerment of Conflict-Affected Youth:

Initiative in partnership with War Child UK to provide vulnerable youth - inside both host communities and IDP camps - with economic opportunities.