Impact of Conflict

So many people have died since the start of the war, that there are now loads of widows and orphans. This, along with people losing their homes and jobs has meant more children have to beg, or do dangerous or illegal work in order to help support themselves and their family. Some children end up in prostitution, gangs or selling drugs and pornography. Others make a living collecting and selling garbage, shell casings and even land mines. There has also been a huge increase in the number of children living on the streets since 2003.

Iraqi society disapproves of street children, even if they are orphans or war victims. These days, most orphanages are accepting only the children that lived there before the war. The newly orphaned and abandoned children on the streets are looked down upon in society. Some of Iraq’s children live, sleep and play in the street between tanks and on bomb sites.

In a city, where there is so little money, it is almost impossible to make a living on the streets and most of the children are barefoot, ragged and often appear to be starving.

Until 1989, Iraq had a strong education system that was admired in the Middle East. Although schools are free in Iraq, since the invasion in 2003 schools have gone downhill and now loads of communities don’t have the facilities to give children a decent education. Many children also don’t have the option to go to school as they must support themselves and their family and earn money.

Almost 50% of children don’t get to go to school as they must work to support their families or they are unable to pay for the uniforms and school supplies that must be bought before you can attend.