As the Yazidi community in Iraq continues to rebuild in the wake of genocide, construction of a cemetery and memorial in Solagh, Sinjar, has officially commenced. Launched by Nadia’s Initiative (NI) in 2021 in response to requests from the Yazidi community, NI spent the last two years designing the cemetery and memorial in partnership with community members and a Yazidi architect. This week, construction is officially underway with support from IOM Iraq and USAID.
Read MoreNadia’s Initiative is working with Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) to rehabilitate and furnish Solagh and Al Hateen(Dugure) primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in North and South Sinjar. The second healthcare project NI and HIA are collaborating on, once restored, these PHCs will provide access to quality healthcare for over 11,000 residents in the region.
Read MoreNadia’s Initiative is working as a bridge between survivors and the General Directorate of Survivors Affairs (GDSA) in Iraq to ensure survivor-centered implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law.
Read MoreThis year, NI founder Nadia Murad returned to Sinjar to attend the first Autumn Assembly that was held at the sacred site of Lalish since the genocide began. On her way there, Nadia was able to check in on bright young students returning to a rehabilitated school in Tabba village, as well as the progress of construction on NI’s brand new medical center supported by the French government.
Read MoreAccess to education in South Sinjar is particularly critical, given the extent of destruction in the South versus the North and the lack of investment in rehabilitating, staffing, and reopening schools in South Sinjar. Nadia’s Initiative recently completed the rehabilitation and furnishing of Rezan Primary School in Raska village.
Read MoreAfter years of conflict, poor road conditions became a serious impediment to the success of local businesses in Sinjar. The economic repercussions of genocide created a devastating situation for returnees to Sinjar. By rehabilitating Sinuni Main Road in North Sinjar, Nadia's Initiative and USAID supported the mobility and economic development of many returnees.
Read MoreOn 18 May 2022, the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed the indictment of the French multinational cement company LafargeHolcim SA (‘Lafarge’) for complicity in crimes against humanity committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (‘ISIS’) and other armed groups in Syria.
Read MoreISIS’ destruction of school buildings in Sinjar in 2014 and the slow rebuilding of the region’s infrastructure create delays in providing quality education and inclusive learning environments for Yazidi students. As part of Nadia’s Initiative’s ongoing work to bring quality education to the region, we recently completed rehabilitation of our second primary school in Wardiya village.
Read MoreOn Friday, May 20th, Nadia Murad received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Chapman University in Southern California for her work on behalf of survivors of sexual violence and the Yazidi community.
Read MoreYazidism is an ancient monotheistic religion recognized for its prayer rituals, belief in reincarnation, and the central role of the Peacock Angel, Tawusi Malek, as a messenger to the Yazidi God. On this World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, learn more about the unique culture of Yazidism and its religious practices.
Read MorePress statement by victim’s counsel Amal Clooney, Sonka Mehner and Natalie von Wistinghausen, Yazidi NGO Yazda, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad.
Read MoreNadia marked Europe’s Day Against Impunity at the Hague, calling on leaders to commit to meaningful action to end impunity for genocide and sexual violence.
Read MoreLast week, Nadia met with Belgium PM Alexander DeCroo and Dutch PM Mark Rutte to discuss several pressing issues: sustainable solutions to supporting Yazidi returnees and those still displaced and the critical need for prevention and accountability for CRSV survivors globally.
Read MoreAccess to capital, property rights, and labor markets are not always easy to come by for women in Sinjar. Nadia's Initiative is striving to empower every woman in Sinjar by equipping them with tangible tools to reclaim their agency and embrace their economic independence.
Read MoreCreating an inclusive learning environment is the first step toward fostering a sense of respect and belonging among children with disabilities. Jenar Haji, an eight-year-old special-needs student, details the impact of Nadia’s Initiative hygiene promotion awareness sessions in schools.
Read MoreIn response to a request from the municipality, Nadia’s Initiative installed 5 electricity transformers in Alqahtaniya complex to ensure that boreholes in the area are continuously powered to provide clean water.
Read MoreLast week, Nadia's Initiative and implementing partner Sunrise NGO came together to celebrate Cenja Sare Sale, the Yazidi New Year, with vulnerable children from the Sinjar community.
Read MoreNadia's Initiative aims to empower women in Sinjar by addressing their exclusion from economic processes and equipping them with much needed skills, training, and resources.
Read MoreNadia’s Initiative and implementing partner Sunrise NGO rehabilitated and officially reopened Sinjar Kindergarten! The new kindergarten will provide young children in the area with early childhood education, including group therapy and other psychosocial support sessions.
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