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Hello. My name is Jeremiah Jones, and I am back in Kurdistan to try and assist the wonderful people and communities here in the ways that I can.
The Kurdish people, their forces, as well as some of the other minority groups in the region, have been the most effective force on the ground in the fight against Daesh, or the Islamic State (ISIS).
There is a crisis still underway in the region. The effects of the war are vast and unprecedented.
At a glance:
• Since 2011, an estimated 16 million people have been displaced from Syria and Iraq
• Despite not having their own recognised state, the Kurdish people have opened their hearts to welcome in hundreds of thousands of people from all different faiths and ethnicities that have been displaced by the war.
• Refugees and Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) now account for 28% of the total population of Southern Kurdistan (Iraqi Kurdistan).
• The UNHCR has recorded that 97% of the Syrian refugees in Iraq live in the Kurdistan Region, of which 41% are under the age of 18.
• As the joint forces continue to work to liberate more towns, it’s been expected that in the Mosul military operation alone, a further 500,000 people will soon flee their homes to find refuge in the Kurdistan region.
As you may know, there are multiple offensives underway in the region and a heavy strain has been placed on already existing refugee camps, with the need for more camps and their development ever growing with each day that passes. Things are only going to get worse with respect to the amount of people in need and the limited number of people and organizations with which to administer to these. Often times, with only the most basic means of support being given with respect to food, clothing, medical care, etc., with huge gaps in funding needs and actual allocations or distributions of funds.
My aim:
I am working with some people, Kurdish friends local to the area, as well as volunteers and supporters from abroad, to develop some goals and objectives for projects to assist with the needs of the people in the refugee camps. With such a huge proportion of these displaced peoples being children (around 50% in Domeez Camp), we want to focus particularly on the psychological and social needs of young people and children in these camps.
We will be reaching out to some of the refugee camps in the area to lend a hand there in any capacity that would be of benefit, but would like to specifically concentrate on efforts that would bring some joy and cheer to the lives of the children within these.
We know that while there is an urgent need for basic physical necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing, displacement and war takes a serious psychological toll on children. We want to help bring about a slight reprieve from the harsh reality in which they currently exist. We want to support these children by not only providing essentials such as clothing, but also materials and activities that would allow them to express themselves and bring some joy into their daily lives.
First and foremost regarding plans that are underway, is a partnership with the prominent local animal rights activist and veterinarian, Dr. Sulaiman Tameer.
We are working on plans to provide animal related activities with a purpose to ease their minds for a time, and offer the kids a chance to be kids. All, while learning about and enjoying the company of the animals.
We need your help.
We need funds to make possible our plans that are currently being developed and underway, as well as those that are sure to evolve over time as things progress.
With the work that we intend to do there is a need for ‘a’ vehicle, at a minimum, with three being ideal, as well as maintenance, upkeep, and operational costs associated with these. We have a realistic budget to allow us to purchase essential items necessary to begin this work:
• Suitable and reliable vehicles (I.e. a pickup) with costs including licensing etc. that could be anywhere from $15,000 USD.
• A laptop computer, cameras
• Cell phones and service for these, to allow us to coordinate and communicate, as well as to document our progress and keep people informed.
At present, all of my personal activities are being conducted via a beat up cell phone that is on its last leg, as my display on my laptop cracked and broke in transit.
As it relates to an operational budget for work that we intend to do within the camps, what we’re able to do will be entirely dependent upon the amount of funds that we can raise, and this will continue to evolve over the course of planning and implementation.
Please, rest assured that any and all funds acquired through contributions to this campaign would indeed be put toward good use regarding the above mentioned items.
Again, we need your help.....
We believe wholly in transparency, as well as accountability, especially as it relates to your contributions and 'where they go.'
With this in mind, we plan to develop a newsletter as well as a blog for this purpose to provide regular updates and to keep you abreast of activities underway. This will include photos of activities and events, as well as any ‘up and coming’ events that we may be able to schedule and coordinate.
While the overall amount being sought for this project seems like a lot, in reality, it’s not nearly enough.
I was recently introduced to a Kurdish saying or proverb of sorts:
‘In one hand I have nothing, and the other is empty.’
A fitting statement and appropriate in many respects.
Please.....think about and consider making a contribution today, and pass on or 'share' this campaign among your friends, colleagues, and associates, or anyone you else that you can think of, that may have a heart to help.
For more information you can Email at: Zarokaazadi@gmail.com
Thank you and God Bless....!!
Related informational links: http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/download.php?id=11164
http://rudaw.net/mobile/english/kurdistan/280620165
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