Stories from Iraq
Iraq Update: The Only Way to Stay Alive
Maher, his wife, and eight children have been living in Kirkuk, Iraq for the past two years, ever since violence forced them to flee their home. They live in an unfinished house that looks more like a construction site.
They struggle to meet their family’s daily needs. They share the house with another family, and must often ask others for help with money and food. “We paid all our money to the armed group in control of our home town in order to get out,” said Maher.
Maher tells us about the car explosions and violence that forced them to seek safety and refuge in Kirkuk. They have done what they’ve needed to do to keep their family safe, but none of their choices have been easy. “After we reached Fallujah, we tried to find a useable road to travel north, but people told us the only road north was mined,” said Maher.
"We finally made the decision to take that risk because it was the only way to stay alive."
They survived the journey and have spent the past two years trying to provide for their children. Maher works at a water-bottling factory but is paid a very low wage. With three million displaced people in Iraq, an abundance of cheap labour is available in some cities, with insufficient jobs. As the years of displacement drag on, many families like Maher’s have reached the end of their savings and need assistance to survive. Maher’s eldest son has sacrificed his schooling to help support the family.
Medair provides cash assistance to vulnerable families in Kirkuk. Giving them cash allows families to choose the best ways to spend that money to meet their most critical needs.
