With millions of Iraqis displaced by conflict and seeking shelter in abandoned buildings, displacement camps and makeshift shelters, the situation on the ground is dire.
Damaged and neglected water and sanitation systems allow illnesses such as diarrhoea to spread, with a particularly harmful effect on children. As hospitals struggle to cope, a lack of medicines and supplies mean that many people cannot access the care they so desperately need.
Without access to clean safe water, education, health services and a stable income, millions of people are living in poverty, facing poor health and an uncertain future.
For people across Iraq, life is incredibly challenging:
Islamic Relief began work in Iraq in 1997, supplying medical equipment to hospitals to help them tackle leukaemia and other illnesses. We also distributed Korban and Ramadan food distributions, benefiting thousands of Iraqi families, and supported orphans through one-to-one sponsorship.
As we were already present before the most recent conflict started, we were one of the very few aid agencies who remained and supported the people of Iraq throughout the conflict. As well as immediate assistance, like emergency food distributions and health equipment, we also repaired several schools and health centres that were badly damaged during the conflict.
Today, we are continuing to help rebuild and reconstruct a damaged Iraq, establishing a tuberculosis treatment centre and providing sustainable clean water supplies, as well as continuing our work with schools and health centres. Due to conflicts in surrounding areas, we also support thousands of displaced people, including refugees of the Syrian and Palestinian conflicts, who have fled their dangerous home countries to seek safety in Iraq.
