Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) Sponsors Hundreds of Orphans Across Iraq

Nearly 800,000 children in Iraq have lost one or both parents, about one in every six children nationwide. Years of conflict, displacement, and economic instability have left many without the protection or stability of a family home.  

In response, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) launched its Orphan Sponsorship Program across Iraq from March 15 to April 10, 2025, providing vital support to hundreds of children and their caregivers. 

The initiative operated across multiple governorates, including Baghdad, Erbil, Dohuk, Mosul, Diyala, Anbar, and Basra. The goal was to ease the burden of orphaned children by providing essential food, clothing, and school supplies - allowing them to live with dignity and continue their education. 

LIFE’s team personally oversaw every step of the project, from registering and verifying eligible orphans to preparing and delivering the aid. Each family received a package containing staple food items such as rice, lentils, pasta, flour, sugar, oil, beans, and canned goods, enough to cover their nutritional needs for two consecutive months. In addition to food assistance, children received seasonal clothing and educational materials. Equal consideration was given to boys and girls, and supervisors emphasized the importance of schooling as a means of protection and empowerment. 

The program had a profound impact on families struggling to recover from loss and financial strain. For many, it meant relief from the daily uncertainty of how to feed their children. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the continued support, describing how LIFE’s consistent presence over the years has made a tangible difference in their lives. 

Zainab Ismail Jassim, an orphan supported by LIFE for six years, shared her story. “After I joined LIFE’s Orphan Sponsorship Program, I began to see change,” she said. “The food eased my mother’s worries. The clothes and school supplies gave me confidence. Now I dream of finishing my education and making my own path.” Her words reflect the resilience and determination that LIFE’s programs aim to nurture. 

Throughout implementation, challenges emerged, from ensuring accurate beneficiary selection to reaching remote areas and maintaining quality standards for distributed goods. These were overcome through careful coordination with local authorities and dedicated supervision on the ground. If the project were to be repeated, LIFE’s team noted that greater focus would be placed on photo and video documentation to capture the program’s human impact and share it more effectively with stakeholders. 

Moving forward, LIFE is seeking to engage local merchants and community members to sustain the benefits of this initiative beyond its funding period. The organization remains committed to empowering Iraq’s most vulnerable children by providing them with stability, education, and hope for a better future. 

The success of this campaign was made possible through the generosity of LIFE’s donors and the commitment of its field teams. Because of their support, hundreds of children across Iraq were able to experience comfort, nourishment, and care. Together, LIFE and its supporters continue to bring light to those who need it most- restoring dignity and rebuilding lives, one child at a time.