Baghdad, Iraq - March 2006 — Almost three years ago — during the last days of the invasion of Iraq — a terrible tragedy struck the Naeem family, who lived in northern Baghdad. An aerial shell from Coalition forces struck their home, killing the mother of three children, and razing the house to the ground. Marwa, the oldest child, who was 11 years old at the time, suffered disfiguring injuries. A portion of her face above the upper lip, including her nose was severely mangled. In addition she lost the thumb of her right hand. IRD did help Marwa’s father set up a grocery store business which gave the family income after their entire livelihood was destroyed by the bombings.

Marwa’s family could not afford the cost of the extensive medical surgery required to repair the damage to her face. But through the combined efforts of several humanitarian organizations, Marwa has undergone reconstructive surgery at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center.

It literally took a village to get Marwa to Los Angeles and on the road to recovery. It began with International Relief and Development (IRD) staff in Baghdad learning of the tragedy that befell the Naeem family and vowing to help. Through the USAID-funded Community Action Program being implemented by IRD in Baghdad, Marwa’s father received assistance to start up a grocery store business which provided his family with income after their entire livelihood was destroyed by the bombings. IRD community mobilizers learned about Marwa’s plight and decided right away to help her. Because IRD receives grants from USAID’s Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund (set up by Senator Patrick Leahy), we were able to begin the process to help Marwa. We immediately contacted CIVIC (Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict founded by Ruzicka) to get the process started. IRD found the doctor at UCLA who was willing to perform the extensive plastic surgery for free, then worked with CIVIC and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) to finance Marwa’s trip to the United States and to find a family in Los Angeles who would care for Marwa. It was not possible for Marwa’s father to accompany her on the trip due to US visa restrictions.

IRD paid for Marwa and her father’s trip to Amman, Jordan, and PCRF was able to fund her travel from Jordan to the US.

We are happy to report that Marwa has successfully undergone several rounds of surgery and has been able to return to her home in Iraq.

“This is the kind of story that we like to hear,” said Arthur Keys, president and CEO of IRD. “With so many people suffering in Iraq, we are so pleased to be part of the effort to rebuild people’s lives as well as their livelihoods.”

The Victims of War Program (now officially called The Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund) is part of USAID’s Iraq Community Action Program. During the first year of its existence, the program was funded by the Leahy Initiative, sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D., VT) for $1.4 million.

This year, USAID has allotted $3.5 million for the fund in Baghdad which is operated by IRD. In 2005 IRD completed 214 projects in nine districts of Baghdad. The majority of the funding has been used to rehabilitate homes and supply household items. However, the Assistance to Civilian Victims Program also helps supply artificial limbs, and provides wheelchairs and medical treatments.

IRD works on a daily basis with community action groups throughout Baghdad to identify individuals and families that have the greatest need. “The damage to houses and property, however great, cannot compare to the scale of damage wrecked upon the health and well-being of the victims of war,” noted Keys. “We are so proud that IRD has been able to provide medical and rehabilitative assistance to innocent victims of war like Marwa and her family.”