The fourth of August marks the anniversary of the founding of the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF), which was established in 2005 and is now 21 years old. In all its operations, the Barzani Charity Foundation stems from a deep value-based foundation formulated by the immortal leader Mustafa Barzani in his famous saying: “It is an honor for a person to serve their people.” This saying was not merely a slogan, but rather transformed into a daily working approach for a foundation that, over two decades, managed to transcend the borders of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, becoming a major player in the international humanitarian field and providing a unique model of relief that knows no discrimination based on race, religion, or sect.
Establishment and Origins: A Launchpad from the Heart of Crises
The Barzani Charity Foundation was established in 2005 in the city of Erbil (Hewlêr) as a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political organization. From its very first moments, it set a noble goal before its eyes: meeting the needs of displaced persons, refugees, and those affected by conflicts and disasters. Led by Mr. Masrour Barzani (Chairman of the Board of Directors) and managed by Mr. Musa Ahmad, the foundation succeeded in laying down high professional foundations, enabling it in 2015 to earn the title of the most contributing and active charitable foundation from the High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq.
Crossing to Global Status: ECOSOC Membership
The year 2016 witnessed a historic turning point in the foundation’s journey, as it obtained Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This international recognition placed the foundation within a global network comprising the largest humanitarian organizations, allowing it to coordinate efforts with 14 specialized United Nations agencies. The foundation’s ambitions did not stop there; it actively participated in international conferences such as the ICAP conference in Malaysia and the Dubai International Humanitarian and Development Exhibition, reaching as far as the U.S. Capitol and New York to strengthen global humanitarian partnerships.
Relief Footprints in Difficult Times
The greatness of the foundation’s work was demonstrated in its rapid response to major crises. At the height of the terrorist organization ISIS’s attacks, the ruggedness of the mountains and the conditions of war did not prevent the foundation’s teams from delivering aid to besieged families at the peak of Mount Shingal (Sinjar). In the city of Kobani, the Barzani Charity Foundation was the first local and international entity to allocate a cash sum ($500,000) for reconstruction, alongside providing the city with thousands of tons of flour and opening bakeries.
The hand of giving was not limited to the interior of Iraq, but extended to include the regions of northern Syria (Afrin) following the devastating earthquake, where it dispatched hundreds of trucks and established free automated bakeries, providing logistical and financial support to the residents in a message of cross-border human solidarity.
Twenty-One Years of Giving: The Language of Numbers Speaks
With twenty-one years having passed since its establishment, the foundation revealed a record full of achievements showing the immense impact of its operations, which encompassed 12 countries:
Food Security: Providing food to more than 3.4 million families in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP).
Camp Management: Supporting more than 21.9 million refugees and displaced persons inside hundreds of camps through years of continuous supervision.
Orphan Care: Through the Azeezan (Dear Ones) project, the foundation provided financial assistance to more than 23,500 orphans, with total amounts exceeding $75 million.
Health and Educational Sector: Providing health services to 2.9 million people and developing the capacities of more than 661,000 individuals through educational and developmental programs.
Water and Sanitation: 4 million people benefited from clean water and infrastructure projects.
The Cultural and Developmental Dimension
The foundation did not overlook the spiritual and cultural side of human beings; it established cultural centers in refugee camps (such as the Cegerxwîn and Mehmed Şêxo Centers, as well as the Rewşen Bedirxan Center) to offer vocational and intellectual courses and support artistic teams, driven by its belief that relieving the soul is no less important than relieving the body.
Conclusion: The Foundation of Tomorrow
Today, the Barzani Charity Foundation is not merely a relief organization; it is a compassionate mother to orphans and a bridge of hope for the displaced. As it enters its third decade of giving, the foundation continues with firm steps to strengthen its global standing, upholding its professionalism and integrity, and reaffirming that charitable work is the highest means to unite humanity and serve human beings wherever they are—remaining forever a source of pride for those who serve their people and all of humanity.
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version… Read the Arabic version:Click here
