On Sunday 06 July 2014, the situation in Baharka IDP camp on the outskirts of Erbil was reported as being critical in terms of food and water provision. It became clear that approximately 1100 IDPs were without food and that they would not eat that night unless food was brought to them. Rise Foundation found out about the gap in food provision late in the afternoon. The Rise Foundation determined that this was an emergency situation and so began planning an emergency relief effort. As well as lacking food supplies the camp also lacks cooking facilities. Therefore the Rise Foundation had to provide hot meals that were ready to eat on distribution. These were ordered from restaurants from 18:00. By…

Essential supplies of food, water and fuel are running dangerously low as thousands more people flee ongoing fighting in Iraq and the harsh summer heat intensifies the risks they face far from home. Our team will distribute desperately-needed emergency supplies this week to thousands of families who are seeking shelter wherever they can — overcrowded homes, schools, mosques, or even out in the open. We’re working in areas bordering the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, where some 500,000 escaped for safety after the battle for Mosul, the first large city to fall to insurgents earlier this month. New reports indicate that number has risen to more than 640,000 in the last few weeks as more cities fall to insurgents, and…

"I would like to leave Iraq and go somewhere else, to any peaceful country. The troubles started here a long time ago, back in the late seventies, and since then we have only had short peaceful intervals,” said Faisal, father of 14, who recently fled from Salah Al-Din to Khazir Transit Camp 20 days ago. "My house was completely destroyed," he said. “All I have today is what IOM has given us, these mattresses, blankets pillows, and a cooking stove" among some other supplies. Holding his youngest son in his arms, Faisal added with resignation, “I would like to go back to my city and rebuild my home, but I am afraid that we will not have peace for a…

As the displacement crisis in Iraq deepens, over one million Iraqis have now been displaced this year. RI is working on the ground in Erbil and Duhok to meet some of their most urgent needs. During the past week, RI has provided 8 water tanks in Qaraqosh, 6 tanks in Bartella and 2 tanks in Karamles, and has distributed 80,000 litres of potable water to Qaraqosh, 60,000 litres to Bartella and 25,000 to Karamles. The water tanks were received from UNICEF and each tank has a total capacity of 10,000 litres. RI has also begun providing 10,000 litres of drinking water to those waiting at Khazir checkpoint every day. To date, RI has supplied 50,000 litres of drinking water. Additionally,…

Caritas Iraq is providing food, bedding and hygiene kits to 2000 Iraqi families who have fled their homes after fighting broke out in the north of the country. Heavy clashes between armed groups intensified in June, causing a massive movement of 400,000 people out of Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, and other towns towards Kurdistan. Iraqi Christians have been one of the groups affected. Christians have also fled Mosul in large numbers. “You could count the number of Christian families who remain on the fingers of one hand,” said Caritas Iraq staff. The situation is calmer in Mosul now, but fierce clashes continue in other areas. “The displacement from Mosul has decreased since the beginning of the crisis, but the…

Update: Due to the ongoing violence in Iraq, some of our June activities have been suspended to ensure the safety and security of our staff, project partners and participants. We are monitoring the situation in Iraq closely. National Youth Orchestra of Iraq It is with great regret that the Iraq Foundation announces the cancellation of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq's plans to travel to America. Instability in Iraq has made it impossible for orchestra members to complete the visa process that would allow them to travel, though thankfully all NYOI musicians are currently safe. Widows Initiative for Economic Sustainability (WIES) WIES is funded by the US Department of State Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. WIES aims to economically…