“We must challenge the notion that certain groups matter more than others”
Our Approach
Implementing community-driven and survivor-centric sustainable development programs
For decades, the Yazidi community in Sinjar, Iraq has suffered from resource deprivation, inadequate service provision, forced land removals, and underrepresentation in the region’s local governance and security forces. This targeted marginalization by the Iraqi state left them vulnerable to ISIS’ attacks in 2014, which destroyed 80% of Sinjar’s public and private infrastructure.
Nadia’s Initiative is working to sustainably rebuild Sinjar by laying the foundations for the community to not only survive but thrive. In line with a grassroots approach to sustainable development, the Initiative works with the local community and a variety of implementing partners to design, support, and implement projects that promote the restoration and improvement of education, healthcare, livelihoods, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), women’s empowerment, and cultural preservation. All Nadia’s Initiative programs are community-driven and survivor-centric, aiming to foster long-term peacebuilding in the region and reduce the community’s reliance on foreign aid.
Impact: Direct Beneficiaries
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2019
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2023
Areas of Focus
Women’s Empowerment
ISIS deprived Yazidi women of their freedom, agency, and lives. Nadia’s Initiative believe the path to healing is through enabling women to reclaim their agency. We design projects that empower women and survivors of sexual violence with the resources to provide for their families, become leaders in their communities, and revitalize their homeland. Nadia’s Initiative centers the needs of women and survivors by listening to their hardships and dreams. We do not wait for women to ask for help, we actively seek their participation and input in our projects from design to implementation. Click here to learn more.
Education
Education is a key component to rebuilding the Yazidi community and positively impacting the lives of children who have already endured tremendous trauma and instability. The majority of school buildings in Sinjar were destroyed, burned, and looted by ISIS in the summer of 2014. The absence of a stable education system is negatively impacting an entire generation. Investing in the redevelopment of school systems is life-changing for students who have not had access to education since 2014 and will stimulate economic growth in the region. Nadia’s Initiative is rebuilding the education sector in Sinjar to contribute to the healing process of many survivors and lay the groundwork for a hopeful, prosperous future. Click here to learn more.
Healthcare
Investment in healthcare lays the foundation for sustainable development. Healthcare is the necessary building block to ensure all future investments in education, women's equality, poverty alleviation, and community-driven development are successful. Through the rehabilitation of the healthcare sector in Sinjar, Nadia’s Initiative seeks to provide comprehensive primary, specialized, and mental healthcare to Yazidis, many of whom have not had adequate healthcare since 2014. Click here to learn more.
Livelihoods
ISIS intentionally destroyed Yazidi farmlands and public infrastructure to sever Yazidis’ food supply. They burned fields, polluted wells, and stole generators. Years of fighting to regain territory further damaged roads and electrical networks. Nadia’s Initiative is working to revitalize Sinjar’s economy from the ground up. We are targeting food insecurity by supplying farmers with tools to revive their lands. Our programs improve trade and transportation by restoring roads; power homes and businesses by reconnecting them to the electrical grid; and create job opportunities by empowering small businesses owners who provide much-needed services to the community. Click here to learn more.
WASH
In a water-scarce region like Iraq, potable water supply is hard to come by. This was true even before years of conflict polluted water sources and disrupted pipelines. By comprehensively restoring access to WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in Sinjar, Nadia’s Initiative enables Yazidis to return home and lead healthy lives. We reconstruct wells, pipelines, and lavatories and provide hygiene kits to help stop the spread of disease. Click here to learn more.
Culture
Restoring Yazidi cultural sites is critical to reversing the effects of ISIS’ genocide against the community. ISIS intentionally destroyed Yazidi temples in an effort to eradicate its people and religion from Iraq. Nadia’s Initiative is working to rebuild Yazidi temples throughout Sinjar and to support the design and construction of cemeteries, memorials, and museums to honor those who were lost and lay the groundwork for social cohesion and restoration. Click here to learn more.
