The Iraqi Children Foundation intervenes in the lives of children who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation by criminals, human traffickers, and extremists. At the end of the Iraq War, there were an estimated 800,000 orphans. Approximately 1.3 million kids were displaced during the ISIS occupation. Today, thousands of kids work, some begging or selling items on the streets, collecting cans at trash dumps. or working in other risky jobs. Many suffer from trauma and lack key legal documents to go to school and get food or other government benefits. They are vulnerable to drug gangs, criminals, and traffickers.
The solution? Protect. Nurture. Empower. ICF works closely with knowledgeable and competent Iraqi NGO partners. The Street Lawyers work closely with neighborhood leaders, police, and judges to protect and defend kids who are arrested or victims of trafficking. They get legal documents for kids to go to school and get food and other benefits. Social workers address issues of child labor, trauma, medical care, child abuse and neglect. The two, colorful "Hope Buses" deliver tutoring, nutrition, hygiene and health care, psychosocial services, and fun to orphans and at-risk children.
The impact? In 2019:
*447 children received legal protection, defense, and advocacy from the Street Lawyers; *335 children acquired missing legal identity documents that are required to enroll in school and get basic government benefits;
*259 children received social services to stop child labor, end abuse, and address medical and other needs; and
*243 children (full- and part-time) got tutoring and nutrition on the two Hope Buses
