A lunch for a refugee student in Northern Iraq

With a balanced meal to finish your studies

Lunch for students in Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyya

Yasmin* lived with her family in Syria and studied medicine. She enjoyed her studies a lot. But because of the war, Yasmin had to flee with her family and abandon her studies. She and her family found refuge in Sulaimaniyya, a university town in northern Iraq. The Chaldean Church of Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyya gave her the chance to continue her studies and has supported the young woman and her family since they arrived in Sulaimaniyya. The family was given permission to travel to France and live a life in safety there. France sounded very tempting to Yasmin, but she immediately knew that she would stay in Sulaimaniyya despite everything so that she could continue her medical studies and successfully complete them. Yasmin is now happy to have a regular daily routine again and is looking forward to her future as a doctor. Just like Yasmin, 299 other refugee students are currently being supported jointly by TERRA TECH and the Chaldean Church. (*Name changed)

need

Lunch in the university cafeterias of Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyya for 300 students from refugee families.

activity

Fresh, nutritious meals are prepared for students every day in the cafeterias.

Measurable performance

Number of lunches that could be distributed to students.

Result

The students have structure in their everyday lives, they have been able to integrate and find connections. They successfully complete a degree.

Systemically relevant impact

Improved career prospects for young adults from refugee families in a familiar environment.

background

The military actions in Syria and the renewed conflict in Iraq are hitting the civilian population particularly hard. According to estimates, around 15 million people in the region are on the run, a large proportion of whom have fled to northern Iraq. As with every crisis, certain groups suffer particularly. These are usually the sick, the elderly or people with disabilities. In northern Iraq, another group is added to this - young people who were in training or studying. For them, fleeing means giving up their studies, losing access to education and having no prospects. A situation that does not make it easier to gain a foothold in the area, but - quite the opposite - encourages further flight. Pure emergency aid with the distribution of food and the provision of accommodation is therefore not enough here. Targeted support in continuing their studies helps students to create their own prospects.

The good deed

The 300 students are already continuing their studies in Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyya and are dependent on support. The students have had a difficult time and are longing for a normal student life. They often spend the whole day at the university. A daily lunch in the cafeteria gives them structure in their new everyday life and eating together brings students of different backgrounds, genders and ages together. It is also easier to learn with a full stomach.

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