World Vision Resumes in Iraq
World Vision has reopened its offices in Iraq, after a temporary closure following a wave of kidnappings in Iraq earlier
this month, and is continuing to offer relief services throughout the war-torn country.
International staff were kept out of the country until security concerns were relieved, and operations are now
continuing in northern and western Iraq.
World Vision Iraq Operations Director, New Zealander Judy Moore, says local staff enabled programmes to continue even
during times of increased instability.
"We were able to rely on the skill of our Iraq staff to keep programmes on the ground going.
"Our local staff are able to travel freely around their communities, interacting with water and sanitation contractors,
health staff and other community members," she says.
World Vision projects currently underway in Iraq include the delivery of emergency health equipment such as gauze,
sutures, antiseptics, blood-giving sets and intravenous equipment to hospitals in northern Iraq, along with wheelchairs
and crutches to help people with disabilities.
World Vision New Zealand CEO Helen Green says water and sanitation works and the rehabilitation of schools is also
continuing in northern Iraq, despite delays caused by the recent instability.
"Children are slowly returning to school from across the west and north of Iraq as more schools are made habitable for
teachers and students," she says.