Gynaecological examinations, pre- and post-natal care, counselling, ultrasound scans, awareness and knowledge meetings dedicated to the protection of women and childrenÉ™: this is the heart of our 'Zhyan' (Life) project, active in the Iraqi Kurdistan region and in particular in the Erbil area and supported by AICS - Italian Cooperation, Otto per Mille of the Waldensian Church, the Province of Bolzano, CCFD-Terre Solidaire and private donors.
A three-year programme to support the health of displaced Iraqi women, Syrian refugees and host communities through reproductive health and psychosocial support services in four clinics in Erbil Governorate. During the 3 phases, the Zhyan project set up the clinics, trained the staff, promoted awareness-raising campaigns and set up a mobile unit to reach the most vulnerable cases in remote areas and IDP camps.
At the heart of the intervention, launched in 2015, was the opening of four clinics dedicated to displaced Iraqi and Syrian refugee women to guarantee them the right to reproductive health despite the terrible conditions of displacement they share after fleeing war and Daesh violence.
Inaugurated on International Women's Day, 8 March 2015, the clinics have to date assisted more than 13,000 women, also thanks to the support of a mobile unit equipped with instruments and medicines, which moves and is always available among the refugee camps to intercept the needs of the women living there. At work in the clinics and in the mobile unit are doctors, nurses and specialised workers, who themselves have suffered displacement conditions: an added value for those who seek their advice, able to overcome language and cultural barriers.
The same unit was deployed to offer support to women fleeing Mosul following the offensive launched to liberate the city in late 2016. In the latest phase, a mobile health clinic is to be set up to enable medical personnel to better monitor the area north of Mosul. The implementation of new activities in the already active clinics is also planned.
