Iraq is a nation tarnished by on-and-off wars for the last 30 years. International sanctions and conflict have led to millions suffering due to these wars, tanking the economy and leading to a high poverty rate within the country. People’s entire lives have been disrupted by conflict, hunger and unstable political situations. Unsurprisingly, all these issues have contributed to Iraq’s massive poverty problem. When faced with these obstacles, it is no wonder the Iraqi people are struggling to get by.

Another factor that has led to a high poverty rate in Iraq is the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is most evident in the rate of impoverished people who are children. According to the Ministry of Planning, nearly 10 million people live below the poverty line in Iraq, accounting for 25% of the population. Of those millions of people, almost 5 million of them are children. In addition, the Iraq wars have displaced more than 1 million people. This issue must be solved because it prevents children from enjoying being children. They have to grow up quickly. 

The Situation

With so many children needing care, the situation may seem hopeless. However, some foundations specialize in helping these children get back on their feet. They provide education, medical care and other needs to help the children recover and break the poverty cycle that has gripped Iraq for years. Al-Ayn is an organization specializing in giving children whatever they need to get back on track.

Al-Ayn is an organization that primarily focuses on sponsoring Iraqi children displaced by war and deals with poverty and many other issues. Founded in 2014, Al-Ayn has been at the forefront of trying to help children who need it most. It does this work in coordination with its sister organization based in Iraq. The primary way they help these children is through sponsorship agreements so people can support the children in lifting themselves out of poverty.

How the Sponsorship Works

As mentioned, Al-Ayn operates by sponsoring children and giving them whatever they need. Whether medical assistance or educational or financial needs, children can look forward to having their basic needs taken care of. First, a child must apply for sponsorship. Once approved, they will have three basic sponsorship packages available to them. They range from the standard option to medical to academic. These sponsorships ensure that no child has the resources to lift themselves out of poverty. Al-Ayn distributes a monthly donation to the child’s mother or a legal guardian if they are orphaned. Al-Ayn makes sure that their futures look much brighter.

What the Organization Has Done to Help

According to its website, Al-Ayn has had a significant impact in helping poverty-stricken children in Iraq. It feels it has “created a measurable, repeatable and systematic method to ensure that orphans are educated, fed, loved and safe.” As of January 2022, they have helped more than 70,000 orphans out of the more than 100,000 registered with their organization. Hopefully, this organization will continue to do great things in the future.

Al-Ayn is an organization that has done countless good for the orphaned and destitute in Iraq. This organization is making a massive difference for a country with too much hardship over the past three decades. Whether through education, basic needs or medical needs, this organization has the best interests of the poverty-stricken children of Iraq at heart. May they be continuously successful in their fight against poverty.

– Calder Miller
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