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Press Release: EPIC Welcomes Ahmed Ali as Visiting Senior Fellow, Launches Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2015
Contact: Erik Gustafson
Phone: (202) 682-0208
Email: info@epic-usa.org
Washington, DC – EPIC Executive Director Erik Gustafson announced today that leading Iraq analyst Ahmed Ali has joined EPIC as a Senior Visiting Fellow and will serve as Director of the Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor (ISHM), an important new project that aims to track the latest security and political developments in Iraq through a humanitarian lens, offering insights and details unmatched by other publications.
See more at: http://bit.ly/1Cfi4J2
According to the latest UN estimate, 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Iraq. To discuss that challenge, EPIC convened a distinguished panel with Francois Stamm of ICRC, Michel Gabaudan of Refugees International, Joe Stork of Human Rights Watch, and Nancy Youssef of The Daily Beast. Hosted by the Iraqi Cultural Center on January 16, 2015, the panelists offered insights on the deepening crisis, the opaqueness of the current military campaign, and warnings for the future of international aid in Iraq, as the fight against ISIS and inadequate shelter leaves many Iraqi families out in the cold. - See more at: www.epic-usa.org/19-out-in-the-co…sh.AqSMxpq6.dpuf
#EPIC is on a mission for #youthempowerment in #Iraq. With dedicated supporters we are able to bring programs like #TentEd and #PhotoVoice to youth in Iraq! #Thanks #GetInvolved #SpreadtheWord (at epic-usa.org)
Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor
By Ahmed Ali
Updates for June 12, 2015
- The U.S. is deploying an additional 450 military advisors to Iraq. This decision comes in the aftermath of the May 17 fall of Ramadi and this mission and the advisors will be based in eastern Anbar province. The deployment of these advisors will likely boost the confidence of Iraqi Sunni tribes who are fighting ISIS.
- Clashes continued in Anbar province as Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are pressuring ISIS in areas east of Fallujah particularly in the Garma area. ISF also conducted operations in the vicinity of Haditha and al-Baghdadi sub-districts and these operations are likely intended to pressure ISIS in western Anbar.
- In Salah ad-Din province in the north, clashes continued in Baiji, home to Iraq’s largest oil refinery, and there are ongoing operations in the Hamrin mountain areas between Salah ad-Din and Diyala provinces.
- Senior member of the Diyala Provincial Council, Karim al-Juburi denied that the UN has suspended its activities in the province. The denial comes in the aftermath of news that the UN suspended its activities in light of the kidnapping of the UN’s office chief in the province. Also in Diyala, a fire at an IDP camp in Khanaqin burned down 43 tents but caused no casualties.
450 New U.S. Military Advisors to Iraq Amid Iraqi Parliamentary Speaker’s Visit
On June 10, the White House announced that the United States government will deploy 450 extra U.S. military advisors to Iraq. The advisors will be based in al-Taqqadum air base in Habbaniyah in eastern Anbar province. These new advisors will provide training to Iraqi forces and Iraqi Sunni tribes. Additionally, the new advisors will work on engaging Iraqi Sunni tribes in Anbar province and will have the responsibility of assisting Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in retaking Anbar areas from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Also this week, the Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives (CoR), Salim al-Juburi, visited Washington for high-level meetings with U.S. officials. Speaker Juburi raised the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during his public appearances.
Eastern Anbar Major Effort for Anti-ISIS Forces
On June 7, the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) announced that security forces launched an attack on Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) hideouts in Garma area, east of Fallujah in Anbar province. Reportedly, the attack resulted in destroying three Vehicle-Borne Improvised Devices (VBIEDs). On the same day, the Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization Units (PMUs) launched a joint military operation in al-Hamra and al-Maqila areas in northern Garma. On June 8, the Iraqi army and PMU launched a joint operation targeting ISIS in the Rashad area in the vicinity of Garma.
On June 9, anti-ISIS forces launched used rockets to target ISIS elements in Fallujah reportedly killing 22 ISIS militants. The Iraqi Military Intelligence Directorate further stated that amongst those killed were four foreigners. Four ISIS vehicles were also destroyed. On the same day, the Iraqi army and the federal police averted a Suicide VEST attack by five suicide bombers in the al-Amiriyat al-Fallujah Municipal building, south of Fallujah. A source in the Anbar Operations Command confirmed that the five militants killed were wearing explosive vests. On the same day, the Iraqi Security Forces launched operations to disrupt ISIS presence in the Haditha and al-Baghdadi districts, western Anbar.
ISIS Focused on the Hamrin Mountains
On June 7, the Iraqi Security Forces and PMUs reportedly cleared ISIS from the municipal building in Baiji, north of Tikrit. However, ISIS was reportedly still in control of six neighborhoods in northern Baiji in addition to a sub-district. The operation included the participation of Iraqi army aviation. On June 9, a Federal Police (FP) force and the PMUs launched a joint operation targeting ISIS in the Hamrin mountains area, east of Tikrit. The FP commander, Raed Shakir Jawdat stated that ISIS was seeking to control an area in Hamrin mountain and that this operation was preemptive. On June 11, an FP force targeted ISIS again in the Hamrin mountains.
UN has not Suspended Activities in Diyala
On June 6, member of the Diyala provincial Council, Karim al-Juburi, denied that the United Nations has suspended its work and activities in Diyala. Juburi stated that the United Nations is currently working to build low-cost houses in the areas of Muqdadiyah and Sherwen. On June 9, a fire broke out in an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camp that houses about 14,000 families in Khanaqin. The fire burned 43 tents in total; there were no casualties, but a number of IDPs were injured, and there was some material damage. Ghazi Ali Agha, the Manager of Khanaqin Migration, attributed the cause of the fire to the close distances between the tents. On June 10, the Minister of Construction, Tariq al-Kikhani, announced the allocation of over 100 billion dinars to for the rehabilitation of Diyala’s infrastructure given the clashes between the anti-ISIS forces and ISIS. Kikhani stated that 91 billion dinars will be allocated to rehabilitation and construction projects in the province and 10 billion dinars to the rehabilitation of roads and bridges projects.
Ahmed Ali is a Visiting Senior Fellow and the Director of the Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor at the Education for Peace in Iraq Center. He would like to thank Abdul Bhat and Tarai Zemba for research support.
The current situation in Iraq is bleak. According to UNOCHA, 7.8 million people need access to essential health services. 4.1 million need access to water sanitation and hygiene, and 4.4 million require food assistance. 45% of these people are children. Many are unaware of the full extent of this crisis, and those that do will read the newspaper or listen to National Public Radio with a grave look on their faces, but then return to the everyday routine of their daily lives. Some may choose to get involved by donating to a charitable organization that has invested time and effort into providing aid to the many vulnerable Iraqis currently displaced by the violence of the Islamic State Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). An incredibly small percentage of people will risk their lives to actually travel to Iraq, roll up their own sleeves, and get involved in the situation themselves. Hala Al Saraff is one of those few people.
Iraqi herself, Hala is an impressive woman with a decorated career in international development. She is both the founder and director of Iraq Health Aid Organization (IHAO), which has been running for the last seven and a half years. IHAO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to implementing projects that benefit Iraqis on the ground—IHAO currently works to deliver aid to those who have been displaced by the violent acts of ISIS. In past years, Hala worked for the World Health Organization (9 years), and was a Fulbright Scholar at the US Embassy in Iraq (2 years). She received her Masters Degree from Columbia University, and received her Masters in Public Health, Health Policy, and Management.
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Hala at my first meeting as an EPIC intern. As I filed into the café behind Erik, EPIC’s founder and executive director, I took a seat beside him, and exchanged my commuter-friendly Birkenstock sandals for professional flats (one must wear comfortable shoes if ever walking with Erik, extraordinary speed walker). I set my notepad and pen on the table as I prepared myself to meet this humanitarian extraordinaire.
Hala is a delicate woman for someone whose actions and words are so powerful. She speaks with such passion, such dedication, that it is impossible to ignore. I found myself listening intently to her every word, leaning closer to ensure that I heard all she has to say. She speaks with the power of first-hand knowledge—from having travelled to Iraq herself, experiencing the dire situations displaced people are facing, and connecting with people on the ground. In fact, Hala herself has a home in Baghdad, where she lives with her husband when she is not in the U.S. As I listened to her stories—my head rested on my palm, clearly entranced—Hala painted a picture of current IDP camps in the heart of Baghdad: for a population of 800 people, there are only six available bathrooms, and, perhaps more astonishing, only three water coolers. Two to three families live in each tent, and 60% of the camp population is children. These statistics would be horrendous to the ears of anyone, yet the deeply pained look on Hala’s face expresses how much farther than the average person her concern goes.
Hala’s organization (IHAO) is taking active steps to alleviate the suffering. IHAO is collaborating with Soccer Salaam to provide humanitarian aid to camps like these that she describes. Soccer Salaam is dedicated to providing necessary humanitarian aid, including soccer balls, to Iraqi children and families escaping conflict—recognizing that play is a crucial part of childhood that should be accounted for as much as food and water. So far, Phase I of Soccer Salam has delivered 5 tons of soccer balls and emergency winter aid to more than one thousand displaced Iraqi families at multiple camps and locations across Baghdad. Now, Phase II is ready to be launched, in which Soccer Salaam will be purchasing tents, water and air coolers, and providing and installing water filters. In addition, Soccer Salam will be delivering “Peace Baskets” for Ramadan, which contains emergency food aid. IHAO has already begun implementation in Iraq, with Hala leading the way.
Hala is an inspiration to humanitarian workers everywhere–regardless of the cause or the place. She is clearly incredibly dedicated to her cause, and is determined to deliver impactful aid to those in need. I think that many can learn from the role model that Hala sets, although I do not believe it is necessary for all to travel into dangerous war zones to create change. But perhaps she is a reminder to us all that although the work may be tough, and we may have to roll up our sleeves, we can all do a bit more to get involved in working towards a more sustainable future.
If you would like to get involved with Soccer Salam, please join our mailing list, donate, or show your support by shooting a video of your best soccer skills.
Blog post by Tarai Zemba
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work in Bzeibiz
Bzeibiz, IRAQ – On June 17, the second event under Soccer Salam’s summer cycle successfully distributed food items, medications, and water tanks in Bzeibiz, an area previously untouched by humanitarian aid.
Our partner on the ground, the Iraq Health Aid Organization (IHAO), led by Hala al-Sarraf, facilitated the visit to Bzeibiz accompanied by another NGO partner who wished to report on the distribution and to contribute aid efforts to the area. The more International NGOs involved with our visits the better! With NGOs reviewing and circulating news of the realities of the humanitarian crisis, Soccer Salam is able to earn more support towards helping overcome the damaging effects of ISIS on the displaced children and families of Iraq.
IHAO’s visit to Bzeibiz was approved by Iraq’s Office of People’s Affairs under the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, who supplied them with vehicle passes. The distribution team expected to reach Bzeibiz early in the morning, but due to reports of car bombs in the area, two truckloads of humanitarian aid goods and two cars were not allowed to pass through the required security checkpoint until 3:00 pm. The delay of the two-hour drive from Baghdad into the heat of the day added to the preexisting stress of maintaining safety in a desolate and remote area of the desert of the Anbar province. Soccer Salam’s partners pushed forward, determined to deliver aid even in the face of danger.
Wednesday’s mission is the largest thus far for Soccer Salam’s summer aid. The distribution included several key elements to summertime survival for the IDPs in Bzeibiz: medicine, water, food and other personal items.
Medications were donated to IHAO, who generously contributed them to the Soccer Salam project to maximize the benefits of aid distribution. Two doctors and a pharmacist helped to collect and distribute 100 bottles of 23 kinds of medication in an effort to combat some of the most common diseases found in IDP camps, such as chronic infections of the skin and lungs, fungal infections, worms, and others. According to the WHO/EWARN, the leading causes of death in IDP camps include Acute Respiratory Tract Infections and skin diseases like scabies. Among those affected by illness, 31% are children below the age of 5.
100 water tanks and tubes were distributed to 100 tents where it is common for multiple families reside in a single tent. Water sanitation tablets were also given to these families. This is the first time the families of Bzeibiz have ever had water containers – before our visit they collected water in stagnant cement storage basins and shared it amongst all of the occupants of the camp.
Food baskets were delivered to families who had not been reached during our previous visit to Bzeibiz, and an additional 30 baskets were distributed to the families of a third camp near Bzeibiz by the IHAO teams. With Ramadan now fully underway, these food baskets provide the opportunity for displaced families to safely participate in fasting and to enjoy Iftar (breaking of the fast). The celebration of Ramadan is one way for these families to escape the violence and desolation around them, if only for a month.
A colleague of Hala al-Sarraf, who works intensively with women in IDP camps and mosques in Baghdad, accompanied IHAO for the distribution. During the event she visited every tent and spoke to the women and girls about their issues in the camp. It became quite apparent that children were traumatized after witnessing substantial violence – many of the children witnessed their parents killed by ISIS.
The tragedy of the stories of the children and families in Bzeibiz did not hinder the joy of the event. Along with humanitarian goods, soccer balls were given to the children, and we witnessed the reinvigoration of fun in an otherwise forsaken place. Not only did the children have a great time, but some of the IHAO staff got carried away playing a soccer match against the kids! When night began to fall, the team had to pack up (and forfeit their game) to hit the road back to Baghdad. When asked about the events of the day, the team said that they had so much fun with the kids that every minute in the heat was worth it. It is inspirational stories and experiences like these that drive the Soccer Salam team to continue reaching as many children with aid and fun as possible.
If you would like to follow our progress in Iraq, subscribe to the Soccer Salam webpage and receive inspiring updates about the young lives we are changing.
#1 Re-Release: Our Podcast Debut
This is an encore release of our very first Iraq Matters podcast. Over the past 15 years, EPIC has touched many lives and we created this podcast series to share these connections and stories with a wider audience.
This first episode featured Part 1 of an interview with EPIC’s current Senior Visiting Fellow, Ahmed Ali, an update on Iraq from Joel Wing, the author of Musings on Iraq, and a segment on Iraqi culture with Zainab al-Suwaji, co-founder of the American Islamic Congress.
We hope you enjoy this important piece of EPIC’s history. Keep an eye out for the re-release of Episode #2, featuring Part 2 of our interview with Ahmed Ali.
Make sure you follow us on SoundCloud and Subscribe to our iTunes and Stitcher channels to get the latest Iraq Matters episodes the moment they are released.
Soccer Salam is grateful for donors like the Lake Oswego Rotary Club who help us to continue to deliver humanitarian relief and the joy of soccer to the vulnerable children and families of Iraq.
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