Iraq

Country Information

Founded: Originally home to Sumerian, Akkadian and Babylonian empires; the land was once part of Persia. Most historians agree that Iraq was established in 638CE.
Land Area: 437,072 Square Kilometers (slightly larger than Idaho)
Climate: desert with mountains along border with Turkey and Iran
Agricultural Land Usability: 13%
Natural Hazards: dust storms, sandstorms, flooding
Environmental issues: irreversible damage caused to marshlands and natural water system due to government water projects diverting streams irresponsibly; heavy air, soil and water pollution; soil erosion

The People

Population: 26,783,383
Infant Mortality Rate: 49 deaths / 1000 births
Life Expectancy: 69 years
Major Diseases: no common risk
Religions: 97% Muslim, 3% Christian
Literacy Rate: 40% (24% for women)
Unemployment rate: 30%
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: unknown

Special Conditions

Due to the fighting from 2003 until today there are untold numbers of homeless and displaced persons within Iraq. As of 2005 there were over 22,000 Palestinian refugees and over 1 million Kurds, solid numbers are unavailable for Iraqi internally displaced persons. The ongoing conflict has made power and water unavailable for long periods of time. Food supplies have been cut off to outlying areas.

Medical care is unavailable to an overwhelming majority of Iraqi citizens.

Identifying the Need

Food distribution is a massive need as imported food is left in cities, outlying towns and villages only have their limited local supply.

The intensely low literacy rate among women demands educational programs once such work is permitted by the occupying agents and the newly formed government.

The large number of displaced persons creates a serious social and economic situation which results in the large humanitarian concern as chaos erupts.

Ramadan Programs

The combination of war and political unrest prevents large-scale sustainable projects at the current time, however The Zakat Foundation seeks to do the best that it can with whatever situation exists. To that end we have maintained seasonal programs since the beginning of the conflict in 2003.

Insh’Allah when time and situation permits we will establish long-term humanitarian programs to assist the population that has been devastated by this war. We need our donors to band together and prepare for the time when a newly-formed government will allow us to establish schools, orphanages and vocational training centers; all of which will be sources of sadaqa jariyah and bless our donors far beyond their years.

Udhiya / Qurbani Distribution

Even before the war began in Iraq, our teams were distributing food supplies in the regions which had been hardest hit by trade embargos. Ramadan became the one time during the year when food was not in short supply and people could have community meals. During the war and even through its escalation, we have been able to maintain a humanitarian presence in regions such as Kirkuk and Mosul where people are in the greatest need.