IRAQ: Iraqi Red Crescent distributes gifts to orphans in Sadr City

Orphans in Iraq's Sadr city slum receive gifts ahead the Eid al-Fitr feast which Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate in the coming days. About 100 orphans from Kafel al-Yateem school for orphans received Eid al-Fitr gifts from the Iraqi Red Crescent Committee (IRCC) in Sadr city. The gifts, which included clothes, shoes, bags and blankets, were distributed to the orphans as a treat for the three days of Eid al-Fitr feast which will be celebrated by Muslims worldwide in the coming days. "We are orphans in Kafel al-Yateem school for orphans. We are all orphans and the Red Crescent has distributes gifts to us," explained Baqer Jassim. The Kafel al-Yateem school for orphans was founded in April 2007 and is funded by NGOs along with the office of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. According to a 2007 report issued by the United Nations, Iraq now has about 40,000 orphans, with most of that number being orphaned as a result of the current conflict. Orphans in Iraq often live on the streets as beggars or drug addicts. Some are believed to have been used by insurgents to carry out attacks; others have reportedly been forced by criminal gangs to work as thieves, according to the report. "We have distributed children's clothes for the festival of Eid al-Fitr. We will hold scientific and cultural programmes," Said The Head Of The Iraqi Red Crescent Committee In Sadr City Falah Muhaisen.

ITN Source | October 12, 2007

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