Hope Makers Organization for Woman (HMOW) Joins Collaborative Effort to Support Yezidi Survivors through Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Iraq
26/03/2024, Erbil – In a historic move to address the ongoing needs of Yezidi survivors of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) genocide, the Directorate for Survivors Affairs, along with eight NGOs across Iraqi Kurdistan and Ninewa Governorate, signed an Agreement of Cooperation to establish a formal referral system for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. Through this system, beneficiaries of the Yezidi Survivors Law (YSL) will gain facilitated access to essential MHPSS services within their communities.
The Hope Makers Organization for Woman (HMOW) plays a pivotal role in this initiative, leveraging its expertise and community presence to deliver ethical, survivor-centered care. Under the agreement, Directorate staff will refer survivors to participating organizations, including HMOW, which will provide targeted MHPSS services and follow up on each case to ensure continued support and adherence to best practices. As one of the eight collaborating organizations located in key areas of displacement and return, HMOW brings vital resources, knowledge, and compassion to address the profound mental health challenges faced by survivors.
“We are committed to not only providing critical mental health support but also fostering a safe, supportive environment where survivors can begin to rebuild their lives,” Dr.Nagham Hassan, the Executive Director of HMOW, stated. Through its participation, HMOW is focused on trauma-informed practices that acknowledge the unique challenges Yezidi survivors face, offering services that promote psychological healing, resilience, and empowerment.
Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq, Mr. Giorgi Gigauri, expressed pride in the collective effort to advance transitional justice in Iraq, noting, “Iraq is showing the world what commitment to transitional justice looks like. This includes the passage of the YSL in March 2021, the establishment of the Directorate for Survivors Affairs, the opening of reparations applications last September, the recent distribution of monthly salaries to survivors, and now the activation of the MHPSS Referral System.”
This referral system aims to bridge significant gaps in MHPSS services available to survivors across Iraq. While the need for MHPSS care among genocide survivors remains high, state facilities and resources are limited. HMOW, alongside other local and international NGOs, plays a vital role in filling this gap, offering accessible and compassionate support to survivors within their own communities. This collaboration strengthens the collective response to genocide recovery and aligns with HMOW’s mission to uplift and empower women and families affected by violence, ensuring a comprehensive and dignified path to healing.
