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Islamic Relief in Iraq
Your questions answered
Q: Why is Islamic Relief working in Iraq when it is the responsibility of the Coalition forces to restore the country's infrastructure?
This is an important question and one that we have discussed with key figures from both the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad and the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO). The discussions concluded that the CPA presently has neither the capacity nor the time to rebuild or restore certain facilities. Until an extensive renovation of Iraq 's infrastructure is completed, the critical gaps in essential service provision need to be addressed in order to meet the immediate needs of the Iraqi people. Islamic Relief has chosen to work in at least three of these vital areas by rehabilitating schools, health care centres and water treatment plants. Our aim has quite simply been to help the needy at a time when they most need our help.
Q: What are the most pressing needs of the Iraqi people?
Security
Security is undoubtedly the most pressing issue facing Iraq . Continued high levels of insecurity have had a very negative impact on the lives of ordinary Iraqis. Many are afraid to venture out after dark, resume normal everyday activities, or even access facilities such as schools and health centres. Insecurity is having a particularly negative impact on freedom of movement for women. Assault, car jacking, kidnapping, theft, shootings and criminal activities are all contributing to increasing levels of fear and instability amongst the population. In addition to this, the security situation is having a detrimental impact on the activities of humanitarian agencies.
Public services
The second priority of the Iraqi people is the restoration of essential public services. Almost eight months after the war, Iraqis still do not have adequate access to services such as clean water, sanitation, health care, and education. Continuing shortages of electricity and fuel further contribute to difficulties in service restoration. The process is also delayed by general problems such as weakened human resource skills and a lack of basic materials. There is also a considerable amount of uncertainty within ministries and local authorities with regard to roles, responsibilities and decision-making authority.
Unemployment
The collapse of the previous government and the disbanding of the Iraqi army have contributed to widespread unemployment. It is currently estimated that unemployment and under-employment are at approximately 60%. During the sanctions, most families were forced to sell their assets and use savings in order to survive. This has resulted in high levels of vulnerability amongst ordinary Iraqis, making the impact of inadequate essential public services all the more severe.
Q: Is Islamic Relief still providing emergency relief in Iraq or has it moved on to long-term development?
The situation in Iraq is extremely tense and unstable, and for this reason it is still being treated as an emergency. We are therefore still juggling between the relief and recovery phases. A long term development programme needs a certain level of security as well as political, demographic and economic stability. Islamic Relief reviews its strategy regularly and we envisage moving to a more long term development programme as soon as the situation becomes more stable.
Q: What kind of projects does Islamic Relief implement in Iraq ?
Our main areas of work in Iraq are emergency relief, education, health care and water treatment. In recent months we managed to distribute emergency food aid to over 30,000 people, with the kind support of our donors. As well as this, we also provided 50 containers full of essentials like clothing, medical equipment, bed sheets and school furniture . Emergency Health Kits were also distributed and other medicines were supplied to 17 hospitals and health care centres in central Iraq . Islamic Relief has also rehabilitated 5 health clinics for the Iraqi people. Almost 3,000 children have also been able to return to school due to our education programmes. We are also working with other agencies to distribute over 270,000 packs of water treatment chemicals to families and hospitals in the worst affected areas.
Q: How much money has Islamic Relief spent so far on helping the people of Iraq ?
To date we have spent around £1 million on purchasing relief supplies, logistics operation and implementing the rehabilitation programmes in Iraq .
Q: Does Islamic
Relief help all the different minorities in
Iraq , or just in certain areas?
Islamic Relief provides assistance to the Iraqis regardless of religion, race, gender or political belief. The selection of beneficiaries is based on needs and needs alone. The number of beneficiaries is only limited by constraints in budget, human resources and security. Islamic Relief's needs assessment revealed the main humanitarian needs were in the centre and south of the country. Therefore we decided to focus our work in those areas, taking into account the limits of our resources. To maintain our neutrality, the composition of the Islamic Relief team in Iraq also reflects the diversity of the different groups.
Q: What problems does Islamic Relief face when working in Iraq ?
Our staff in Iraq face many challenges that affect their ability to implement projects. Some everyday problems include the lack of information for proper needs assessment, overall poor communication facilities and restricted freedom of movement. Even basic structural necessities like setting up office or recruiting and training qualified staff has proven to be difficult. To ensure the safety of staff however, Islamic Relief Headquarters and our Jordan office ensure that regular reviews of the security situation take place. A full security plan is then updated after every review.
Q: How has Islamic Relief been able to continue its humanitarian work in Iraq when so many other aid agencies have left the region?
Islamic Relief is one of only a handful of international aid organisations that have maintained their activities in Iraq before, during and after the war. This is due to a number of reasons. Firstly, as an organisation inspired by the humanitarian teachings of Islam, we are very well received by the local communities. Being based in the West, we are also able to play a vital role in bridging the gap of misunderstanding between Iraqis and the Western world.
A second factor is that the expatriates we employ are ethnically from the local region, meaning they speak fluent Arabic and are very familiar with the local culture. This makes it safer for them to operate as there is no danger of them being perceived as part of the Coalition forces. We also make an effort to employ experienced staff from different cultural backgrounds, representing the broad spectrum of people in Iraq .
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Islamic Relief has managed to build up a good reputation with the local community over the years. Through our vital activities such as food distribution and school rehabilitation, we have been able to interact with ordinary people on the ground. In the aftermath of the war, Islamic Relief was therefore perceived as a familiar, trustworthy organisation that works at a grassroots level and genuinely understands the needs of the Iraqi people.
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