In Iraq today, there are between 800,000 and 1,000,000 Iraqi children who have lost one or both parents.

about iraq

Iraq, located in the Middle East, has faced an incredible amount of conflict and hardship for many decades, including the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War, the 1991 Gulf War, and most recently the 2003 War. The struggle faced by Iraqi orphans today is a consequence of past and continuing conflicts, political instability and economic sanctions.

Sadly, it has been the most innocent of people, children, who have suffered the most through this tumultuous period of Iraq’s history. During times of economic and social hardship children are often forced to drop out of school, go to work, and girls are often married at a young age. At Child Aid International we hope to do our part by supporting those children so that they have a chance to make a positive difference both in Iraq and the entire world. 

In Iraq today…

• Less than 50% of Iraqi boys and about one-third of Iraqi girls attend secondary school

• Nearly 10% of children are involved in some form of child labour

• Iraq continues to record a high infant morality rate of at least 31 deaths/1,000 live births

• Over 20% of the population do not have access to improved drinking water sources

• Over 25% of the population do not have access to improved sanitation facilities

What We've Achieved