HISTORY OF LIFE IN IRAQ In response to the humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, LIFE for Relief and Development began providing humanitarian assistance to the poor and needy Iraqis. The initial emphasis early on was on providing food, clothing, shelter, and other essential items. LIFE has since then expanded its operations into other sectors of the Iraqi society, such as education, healthcare, water and sanitation. As a result, LIFE has distributed tens of millions of dollars worth of humanitarian assistance in this war-torn country of 28 million people. Today, LIFE’s activities in Iraq range from the operation of a network of healthcare clinics, to providing assistance to orphans across the country on a monthly basis, to the distribution of wheelchairs to the handicapped and medical supplies to clinics and hospitals around the country, and so much more. LIFE’s deep humanitarian roots in Iraq, combined with its unique ability to operate in every corner of the country, have earned it the trust and support of international partners and donors worldwide. By the beginning of the 2003 Iraq War, LIFE had distributed tens of millions of dollars worth of humanitarian assistance throughout every Iraqi province. The broad organizational infrastructure that has developed over a decade of working in Iraq allowed LIFE to carry out its projects even in the most dangerous corners of the country. However, LIFE has not been immune to the violence that has engulfed Iraq, as evidenced by the murder of Abdul-Sattar Al Mashhadani, the director of LIFE’s programs in Baghdad, who was shot dead at a militia checkpoint on October 7, 2006. The violence and threats of violence have also caused other LIFE employees to flee the country. Despites these risks, LIFE’s staff of professionals in Iraq have bravely continued their important work of blind charity in all corners of the country. A network of four healthcare clinics, established and maintained by LIFE, now exists, offering medical care to thousands of people in underserved areas. This network will expand to seven clinics by the end of 2009, thanks to a $1.1 million grant from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity Organization. Among LIFE Iraq’s other successes are the establishment of new schools and the renovation of old ones, the distribution of wheelchairs, medical supplies, and textbooks, the caring for internally displaced persons, the promotion of the economic and political empowerment of women, and the restoration of clean drinking water resources, and LIFE’s Orphan Sponsorship Program. Below are more detailed highlights of what LIFE Iraq has been able to accomplish over the past two decades, thanks to Allah’s (God’s) Mercy, and the help of LIFE’s donors and partners: The rehabilitation of 39 elementary schools in Baghdad, Basra, Diyala, Missan, and Kirkuk (1997-2003). The distribution of nearly 70 tons of medicine and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics in each of Iraq’s 18 provinces (1997-present). The distribution of 56,620 scientific and medical books to colleges, universities, and research institutions throughout the country (1997-present). The donation of 15,500 book bags to elementary school children in Baghdad, Basra, Diyala, and Kirkuk (1997-present). The distribution of 16,100 items of clothing to poor families in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Diyala, Anbar, and Missan (1997-present). The rehabilitation of 14 water plants, and the building of 2 new ones, in Diyala, Anbar, Basra, and Missan (1997-present). The distribution of 4,000 tons of food, including udhiyah meat, to residents of various areas during a number of emergencies (1997-present). The distribution of Ramadan food baskets to poor families (1997-present). Providing jobs and training to women through the construction of 10 sewing training centers and supplying them with industrial sewing machines, design tables, and fabric (1997-present). Arranging for seven sick children from Baghdad and Basra to receive specialized medical treatment in the United States (2000). The distribution of seven million pencils and chalk sticks to elementary school children in all provinces (2000). The construction and full equipping of seven computer training centers for women and children in Baghdad and Mosul (2002-2006). Temporarily provided salaries to doctors to encourage them to return to work after the collapse of the government and the shutting down of hospitals (2003). Donated two minibuses to the Social Care Ministry (2003). Established the Wardat Al-Hayat Kindergarten in Baghdad, which bases its curriculum on the exclusive use of formal (fusha) Arabic (2003). The rehabilitation of a sewage treatment plant in Hay Al-Jawadain in Baghdad (2003). The rehabilitation of two electric power sub-stations in Fallujah (2003). The distribution of 5,000 twenty liter water storage containers and 5,000 new blankets to the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in Basra, Mosul, and Baghdad (2003). The distribution of food, beds, hygiene kits, fans, and other relief items to Palestinian refugees in Baghdad (20003). The distribution of blankets, food, oil heaters, oil lamps and cleaning supplies to IDP families in Fallujah, Najaf, Salahuddin, Mosul, Diyala, and Hilla (2003-present). Constructed four camps for IDP families in Aana, Taji, Diyala, and Tal Afaar (2003-2005). The full renovation of the Ministry of Health’s Al-Hamza Center for Rehabilitating the Handicapped, which suffered from looting and destruction at the onset of the war (2004). Conducted a major study of the phenomenon of street children in Iraq, and produced a short documentary on the subject (2004). The reconstruction of 55 homes and a neighborhood playground that were damaged or destroyed in the town of Al Mishraq in Basra Province (2004). Donated a full pallet of sports equipment to the Olympic Sports League in Baghdad (2004). Rehabilitated an educational training center in Baghdad (2004). Coordinated with UNICEF to build a database of all schools in Iraq that needed to be renovated or reconstructed after the war (2004). Distributed more than 2,450 wheelchairs to handicapped individuals across the country (2004-present). Purchased land in the Miqdadiyya district of Diyala Province to establish a village for IDPs (2005). Conducted an art training course for orphans, and displayed their paintings in an art gallery in Baghdad (2005-2006) Reconstructed the building of the Iraqi Society for the Handicapped in Basra (2006). The rehabilitation of the Al-Halabsa water treatment plant in Anbar (2007). The rehabilitation of the Hamdan Jesser water treatment plant in Basra (2007). The distribution of 30,000 pairs of Crocs shoes to children across the country. (2007) Sending a group of Iraq orphans to Japan to participate in the 8th Ashinaga International Summer Camp for Orphans (2007). Distributed over $200,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to the Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Iraq, providing them with food, water, shelter, and other essential items (2004-2007). Established a new healthcare clinic in Hay Al-Jamia district of Baghdad (2007), providing quality healthcare to the poor and destitute. Provided food and medical assistance to isolated neighborhoods in Baghdad, cutoff from the rest of the city due to violence (2007-2008).

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