Number of Iraqi orphans, widows rising with conflict
Recent military operations in Iraq against the Islamic State have led to a spike in the number of orphans and widows.
Naima Ibrahim, 36, lost her husband during the government's bombing of Fallujah in May. She had intended to flee the city with her husband and children after the city fell to militants belonging to the Islamic State (IS) and some tribal groups, but her husband died in the shelling while out buying food. His death forced her to remain in Fallujah. She and her children now live on the money provided by her brothers and neighbors in addition to aid from humanitarian organizations in Anbar province.
Ali al-Hayali, a member of the Al-Khair Foundation, which operates out of Anbar, took it upon himself to help cases similar to Ibrahim’s. He estimates that about 400 children have been orphaned in the province since the start of the government's military operations against the armed groups in December of last year. Hayali’s association, along with a group of other civil and humanitarian organizations, is trying to assess the extent of the destruction that befell Fallujah. The incessant shelling and blocking of roads between the province's cities has made it difficult to compile accurate statistics on the number of orphans.
The local government in Anbar does not have specific statistics on these orphans, given its poor government services. The lack of clear information has worsened the orphan's situation and prevented any future aid.
Hayali has, however, been able to reach some widows and give them food packages. "The local government in Anbar merely registers the orphans and widows in their records. It does not help them," he told Al-Monitor by phone. Hayali acknowledged the difficulty facing the provincial government in taking heed of the orphans and widows, due to the worsening crisis, poor security situation and ongoing military operations. "Most of the employees of the concerned departments have been displaced," he said.
