Iraq relief - Progress Update 2
Since our last report, a month ago, we are pleased to inform Mumineen that the World Federation has the following to report as update two:
WORLD FEDERATION DELEGATION
A delegation of the World Federation is in Iraq now. They comprise The Vice President Dr Ahmed Hassam, The Hon Treasurer Ahmed Daya and the Executive Councillor Haji Haider Haji. They have been to Baghdad, Najaf and Kerbala. They have met Ayatullah Al Udhama Syed Ali Seestani in Najaf. Agha sends his salaams to Mumineen. A full report will be issued on their return.
FUND RAISING EFFORTS
We request that all collections be sent to the World Federation as quickly as possible so disbursements can progress without delay.
PROJECTS IDENTIFIED & INITIATED
Medication worth significant amounts and other essential items generously contributed by businessmen of the community, have all been sent to Iraq.
A number of very worthy projects have been initiated and identified. The progress and maintenance of these projects will depend upon the financial support of the Community.
So far we have chosen to work in the following fields:
- Medical Assistance - The Medical Advisory Board of the World Federation is in constant touch with front line workers to identify the medication required, which are then procured and sent out.
- Orphans - This programme has been simultaneously initiated by The World Federation in Karbala, Najaf, Kazmain and Nassiriyyah. 2000 Orphans have been helped so far. Negotiations are in progress with contacts in other towns to start similar fostering schemes.
- Youth Rehabilitation Programme - The World Federation, with certain local leaders, has embarked on a programme to occupy the minds and hands of these youngsters. This programme has been launched in Karbala, Najaf, Kazmain and Nassiriyyah. 200 Youths have been helped so far. Negotiations are in progress with contacts in Hilla, Thawra (Sadr City) and other towns to start similar schemes.
- General Welfare – The two container loads of new clothes we had received from Mumineen have already left London and will arrive in Kuwait soon for onward transmission to Iraq. The clothes will generally be placed with hospitals so patients have clean clothes to change into.
We have sent a fact-finding mission to Northern Iraq to identify the needs of Turkman mumineen.
We have identified the trauma of the survivors because of the discovery of the mass graves and the unknown fate of their dear ones. We have asked the frontline workers to assist.
- Relocating Refugees – This project is in the final stages of preparation and the first refugees will soon be resettled in their own towns all over Iraq. The cost of resettling one professional and his family with enough funds to live for 6 months is USD 750. You may sponsor as many families as you like. One of the main resourse of Iraq is its educated people. So the sooner these people get resettled in their home towns the greater the benefit to the country.
The needs and requirements of our brethren in Iraq is huge. The World Federation relies on the support from Mumineen worldwide. Please continue with the contributions as every penny will make a difference. Please remit to your local Jamaats or Regional body, who will, in turn, further remit the same to the World Federation.
Secretariat
6 June 2003
Iraq relief - Progress Update 1
Since our launch of this appeal, we are pleased to inform Mumineen that the World Federation has the following to report as update one:
FUND RAISING EFFORTS
The Community worldwide has displayed an amazing sense of concern and has rallied to exert maximum effort in helping raise funds for this fund. The Youths in London, Birmingham, Peterborough and other cities have even taken to the streets to collect from the public. From the reports received so far, many jamaats worldwide have collected good sums towards this noble cause. These efforts need commending and we pray to the Almighty to reward all involved in these noble endeavours amply. We request that all collections be sent to the World Federation as quickly as possible so disbursements can progress without delay.
DISBURSEMENT
The World Federation has been contributing to relief efforts for the Iraqi Mumineen for over 20 years. Iraqi Refugee camps in Iran and people inside Iraq continued to recieve constant aid in the form of medical supplies and money to help buy basic rations.
Following the outbreak of the latest war, our efforts with the same agents have intesified. We have chosen to work in the following main fields:
- Medical Assistance - This would be in the form of Medical Supplies as well as Medicines which remains the singlemost necessity today inside Iraq. The Medical Advisory Board of the World Federation has already collected medical supplies and medicines from several well wishers as well as bought some necessary drugs from the funds collected so far. The first civilian flight into Basra was the Virgin Atlantic flight with Sir Richard Branson. With the relief supplies he had taken, he also transported free for us, £53,000 worth of medical supplies and our coordinator for this project. The cordinator's report was broadcast by the BBC and ITV on their TV news channels on 6 May. Our medical supplies are now being distributed to the needy centres in and around Basra. A further £20,000 worth of essential medicine has been given to Doctors who have travelled to Iraq this week. The list of medicine needed is compiled by the Medical Advisory Board of the World Federation as per the request being received from the front line workers.
- Orphans - The Welfare of Orphans has always been an area of primary concern for the World Federation. For the thousands of parentless orphans and those who have no news about their fathers, efforts are being currently made to arrange for fostering in homes of their immediate relatives. The World Federation will contribute towards the cost of fostering these orphans. This programme is simultaneously being initiated by The World Federation in Karbala, Najaf, Kazmain and Nassiriyyah. USD 10,000 has so far been expended in this vote. Negotiations are in progress with contacts in other towns to start similar fostering schemes.
- Youth Rehabilitation Programme - With the end of the war comes joblessness and restlessness, especially amongst the younger generation who have no work to do nor any income. The World Federation, with certain local leaders, has embarked on a programme to occupy the minds and hands of these youngsters. This programme is being launched in Karbala, Najaf, Kazmain and Nassiriyyah. USD 27,000 has so far been expended in this vote. Negotiations are in progress with contacts in Hilla, Thawra (Sadr City) and other towns to start similar schemes.
- General Welfare - We have received two containerloads of new clothes from Mumineen in London and we will endeavour to send them to Iraq. The clothes will generally be placed with hospitals so patients have clean clothes to change into. Another USD 10,000 has been sent to help the jobless to buy basic necessities.
- Relocating Refugees - The World Federation has identified this field as an important field of relief work amongst the Iraqis. We have already initiated conversation with the wakil of Ayatullah Seestani managing the Iraqi refugee camps in Iran to look into programmes for resettling Mumineen inside Iraq. For a start we have identified 100 teachers and their families who will be resettled in their own towns all over Iraq. The cost of resettling one professional and his family with enough funds to live for 6 months is USD 750. You may sponsor as many families as you like. One of the main resourse of Iraq is its educated people. So the sooner these people get resettled in their home towns the greater the benefit to the country.
The needs and requirements of our brethren in Iraq is huge. The World Federation relies on the support from Mumineen worldwide. Please continue with the contributions as every penny will make a difference. Please remit to your local Jamaats who will, in turn, further remit the same to the World Federation.
Secretariat
8 May 2003