Growing Up In War 

In a country where less than one-third of people have access to clean water and where 15 per cent of the population regularly goes without food, children are bearing the brunt of a growing humanitarian crisis.

17-year-old Rasha lives with her mother and two younger sisters in Baghdad. Three years ago the girls’ father was killed in a bomb blast in their neighbourhood. His death has left Rasha’s mother struggling to support the family and has left Rasha suffering from post-traumatic stress.

“In the early morning of 3 December 2004, I woke up terrified by a frightening blast that shook the foundations of our house. I saw smashed glass and dust all around me. I smelt the smoke of the blast, and heard the screams of the people,” Rasha said.

Tragically Rasha’s father and uncle died in the blast and another uncle was seriously injured. Rasha has been deeply affected by her loss and still suffers from depression. Most children in Iraq have experienced some kind of trauma like Rasha but few receive any kind of support to help them deal with their anxiety and loss.

A year after her husband’s death Rasha’s mother returned to her job, but it has been difficult to care for her three daughters on her one small salary. None of her family are in a position to help as they too have lost fathers and husbands in the violence.

Islamic Relief began sponsoring Rahsa’s seven-year-old sister Duha in 2006. The sponsorship is a massive help to the family and helps provide them with basic items as well as ensuring the girls can continue at school. “You do not know and cannot see my sister’s happiness when she comes back from Islamic Relief’s office with her gifts and money,” Rasha told us. “This makes me happy and puts an end to my sadness.”

Islamic Relief has been supporting orphans in Iraq since 2004 and. We help provide them with basic items such as food, clothing and decent shelter, as well as supporting access to healthcare and education.