Life for Relief and Development Extends Compassion to 1,461 Orphans Across Iraq

After decades of conflict, political instability, and economic hardship, Iraq remains one of the most vulnerable countries in the region for children who have lost one or both parents. According to UNICEF, nearly one in five Iraqi children experiences multidimensional poverty, lacking access to education, healthcare, or proper nutrition. Years of war, displacement, and unemployment have left thousands of families without a stable income, forcing many widowed mothers to rely on humanitarian aid to survive. In this environment, orphaned children are among the hardest hit, often facing hunger, interrupted schooling, and deep emotional trauma. 

In August 2025, Life for Relief and Development implemented a nationwide sponsorship project in Iraq, reaching 1,461 orphans across Baghdad, Erbil, Dohuk, Mosul, Diyala, Anbar, and Basra. The initiative aimed to restore dignity and stability to children who have lost one or both parents, many of them victims of conflict, displacement, or poverty, and to support widowed mothers struggling to provide the essentials of life. 

LIFE’s sponsorship program delivered essential food packages containing rice, sugar, lentils, chicken, beans, milk, and other staples, providing families with critical relief while easing financial pressure. The organization’s team handled every aspect of the process, from listing beneficiaries to delivering supplies directly to families, ensuring transparency, fairness, and inclusion across all regions. 

One of LIFE’s guiding principles is equality- ensuring that both boys and girls receive equal care and that all sponsored children are encouraged to remain in school. Supervisors were trained to manage distributions efficiently and with sensitivity, while local authorities supported logistics and outreach to remote communities. 

For families who have endured years of hardship, the aid provided immediate and tangible relief. A widow from Dohuk shared her experience: “My husband died in an accident in 2017. I have four children, one of them has autism, and another suffers from malnutrition. We had no one to help us. What you have provided has greatly relieved us. My children and I live on the materials you provide. May God bless you and reward you with goodness.” 

For others, LIFE’s support was not just about survival; it was about reclaiming a future. Rand Ahmed, a young woman from Basra, recalled, “My father was killed when I was just a baby. Life sponsored me in 2013, and since then, I have received everything from food to school supplies. Today, I am studying science and dream of becoming an engineer to rebuild Iraq. All my love and respect to LIFE.” 

In Diyala, two sisters, Nadia and her younger sibling, shared how LIFE’s assistance brought them back to school after years of displacement and tragedy. “We lost our father in the Barwana massacre. For years, we lived in fear and hunger. But thanks to LIFE, we felt hope again. We know we are not alone.” 

Many of Iraq’s orphans have lived through the trauma of war, poverty, and loss. Muhannad, a boy from Mosul, witnessed the death of his father and brothers during the liberation of the city. Since that day, he has lived in silence, traumatized, and withdrawn. His story reflects the urgent need for not only material aid but also psychological care and compassion for war-affected children. 

The story of Dima from Mosul captures the daily struggle of many families left behind. Her father died from untreated epilepsy due to a lack of access to medicine. Her mother now raises two daughters alone, with no income or support. “We survive on patience and faith,” she said. “This help gives us strength to keep going.” 

In another part of Nineveh, a widow and her three children received their first food basket from LIFE. Overwhelmed, she told the staff that it was the first time she had ever entered a mall. “We only ever came here today for the aid,” she said, holding back tears. “May God bless those who remember families like ours.” 

Through this project, Life for Relief and Development reaffirmed its commitment to the well-being of Iraq’s most vulnerable children. By providing consistent, dignified support, the organization not only met urgent needs but also inspired hope and resilience across communities still healing from years of conflict and loss.