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Causes: Children & Youth, Children & Youth Services, Crime & Law, International, International Development, International Relief, Legal Services
Mission: The Iraqi Children Foundation intervenes with love and hope in the lives of children who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation by criminals, traffickers, and extremists. ICF invests in Iraqi children by: Being a voice for children with no voice; Mobilizing resources for education, health, protection, and trauma care, and helping to end child labor; Emphasizing sustainable hand-up initiatives over hand-outs; and Investing in training and capacity building of Iraqis caring for children.
Target demographics: Orphans and vulnerable children, including street kids, child laborers, disabled children, child victims of trafficking, and child orphans and street children after the war
Direct beneficiaries per year: • ICF rescued a clinic serving disabled children in Fallujah from permanently closing. In the first 6 months, 831 services were provided to disabled kids, such as medical consultations, physical rehabilitation, and psychosocial services. • The “Baghdad Street Lawyers” handled 547 cases, including free legal protection for kids who are exploited by criminals and traffickers, abused by employers, or face other risks, and securing legal documents children need to attend school and receive benefits. • 2023 was the first full year of operating 3 “Hope Buses” in Baghdad, with a record 172 orphans and street kids attending classes, full- or part-time, and an estimated 36,000 meals served. • In Mosul, ICF continued supporting a center for girls and prepared to open a second one. Many girls were previously displaced by ISIS’ occupation. The center helps girls experiencing trauma, lack of education, child labor, and gender-based violence.
Geographic areas served: Iraq
Programs: • Three colorful “Hope Buses” in Baghdad delivering education and nutrition • “Street Lawyers” providing free legal protection to children arrested and trafficked • Social workers addressing child labor, abuse, health care, and early marriage. • A clinic serving disabled children in Fallujah • Two centers providing trauma care and other support for adolescent girls in post-ISIS Mosul