ACTION 4 DISPLACED PEOPLE

In 1991, Saddam Hussain’s persecution of the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq saw hundreds of thousands flee their homes. As Iraq’s historic marshes were drained and villages attacked, families had no choice but to move. After a visit to the region, Baroness Emma Nicholson refused to ignore the situation and launched an appeal, ‘Assisting Marsh Arabs and Refugees’, to send much needed relief to those who had lost everything. 

Today, the AMAR Foundation’s work has evolved and now reaches families across the region. AMAR’s teams are working right the way across Iraq, Lebanon and Romania, ensuring that vulnerable families have access to healthcare, educational services and emergency aid. They keep the name ‘AMAR’, which translates as ‘the builder’ in some Arabic dialects, to remind people of their central mission - that AMAR are rebuilding lives. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is caused by highly stressful, frightening or distressing events. Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. 

In 2014, thousands of children from religious minorities in northern Iraq were captured by ISIS. Since the military defeat of the group, some of these children have returned. They have been left traumatized by their experiences but face a host of challenges in accessing effective treatment and rehabilitation. 

The psychological and emotional scars of war in Iraq are immense, with thousands of people needing mental health assistance. Among those in desperate need of care, are people suffering PTSD, depression, schizophrenia and severe anxiety. The psychological well-being of men, women and children across Iraq is our concern. This is why people around the world are supporting the AMAR Foundation’s Escaping Darkness Appeal. 

The AMAR Foundation was started by Baroness Emma Nicholson. Pictured is Baroness Nicholson in Romania, helping to unload medical equipment. The Baroness also toured hospitals, town halls and schools, meeting Ukrainian refugees and hearing their stories. 

Since 1991, the British based AMAR Foundation has been working on the ground in countries which have been hit by war and displacement. By employing local people, the AMAR Foundation also safeguards the welfare of people in their care by keeping all staff trained in modern practices and all medical staff trained to World Health Organization standards. 

Across Romania, AMAR are safeguarding the welfare of disabled children, while also assisting children with disabilities, who have fled fighting in the Ukraine. Since the start of the crisis, support has poured in but AMAR still need your help meeting the immediate needs of refugees, while safeguarding their long-term physical and psychological wellbeing.