Projects for Victims of Chemical Attacks in Halabja

In the course of the so-called Anfal Campaign in the 1980s, the Iraqi Army destroyed about 5.000 villages by means of chemical attacks and systematic destruction campaigns. Halabja, a city near the Iranian border, became tragically known for the poison gas attacks on the 16th and 17th of March in 1988. During these two days at least 5,000 people died from the deadly mustard gas and many different neurotoxins. It is estimated that up to 10,000 people got severely injured, some of which died during their attempts to leave the country.

About 17,000 persons took refuge in Iranian refugee camps. After their return they found their homes destroyed and in many cases were deported or imprisoned. The destruction of the infrastructure and familial systems determines the region as one of the poorest in North Iraq with a high rate of unemployment, social conflicts and domestic violence.

Our Clients

Until today many victims suffer from a variety of physical and psychological impairments. This includes serious illnesses such as lung damage, blindness or skin disorders that require constant and very expensive treatment. Besides, survivors are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and feelings of guilt, aggression, and alienation. As a result many victims are not able to work and face enormous financial problems if they have no relatives supporting them.

Furthermore, the chemical weapons are suspected to have caused infertility, miscarriages, malformation of newborn children, or significantly increased cancer rates. Although there are no reliable statistics proving these theories survivors and their offspring are hit by social stigmatization. Being suspected of infertility, especially women and girls face difficulties in finding a husband.

The Halabja Center and Mobile Team

Since June 2010, with support from the German Foreign Office, the Halabja Center for Victims of Chemical Attacks offers medical and psychosocial care for survivors and their families.

Due to high levels of extreme physical ailments among the clientele, this project puts emphasis on specialist medical treatment. As the chemical attacks also affected the rural areas around Halabja a mobile team rotates between the small cities of Khurmal, Sirwan, Tewele and Biyare.

Since the beginning, the project staff was rewarded with enormous approval of our services and had to deal with a number of patients that far exceeded capacities. Between August 2010 and December 2012, the team was able to help more than 1500 patients of which 66% were women. Both the center and the mobile team currently employ seven part time medical doctors and specialists, seven psychotherapists and social counselors, one physiotherapist, and administrative staff.

The project benefits from extensive back up by local and regional authorities and received numerous positive feedbacks from the survivors.

Further Information

To learn more about the program and ways to help, please contact Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist gegen Spambots geschützt! JavaScript muss aktiviert werden, damit sie angezeigt werden kann. .