UNICEF in Iraq
UNICEF has been active in Iraq since 1952, when a project to control malaria protected some two million people from the disease. For the next three decades, UNICEF developed maternal and child health services, trained health personnel and equipped educational training institutions. In 1983, UNICEF established an office in Iraq. In 1990, following the first Gulf war, UNICEF implemented an emergency programme to meet the humanitarian needs of children and women. Throughout the sanctions era of the 1990s, UNICEF focused on rehabilitating social services, providing life-saving therapeutic feeding to severely malnourished children and assisting the most vulnerable children. In 1997, via the “Oil for Food” programme, UNICEF addressed the deteriorating health situation of children, the increasing number of school drop-outs and the protection of children deprived of care. From 2003-2008, UNICEF ensured emergency access to water and sanitation, primary health care, nutrition, education and child protection services for millions of children and women affected by extreme violence. In 2009, UNICEF reoriented its country programme to support the Government of Iraq develop child-friendly social policies, modernize its institutions and improve the nationwide delivery of basic services critical to the future survival and development of children. UNICEF has its Country Office in Baghdad and North, Central and South Zonal Offices in Erbil, Baghdad and Basra, respectively.
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