Jiyan News

At the Jiyan Foundation, we believe that art is a fundamental facet of life. Through art we can share our stories, explore our inner emotions, and express feelings that we cannot put into words. Similar to a therapeutic undertaking, the artistic process is one of self-expression and exploration. Combining art and therapy can allow trauma survivors a culturally sensitive way to process difficult experiences and help them to look towards the future. That is why the Jiyan Foundation works diligently to promote art and artistic endeavors in all aspects of our work.

On April 12, Tanja Gönner of the German Society for International Cooperation, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Müller and Salah Ahmad of the Jiyan Foundation discussed the situation of refugees in the neighbouring countries of Syria. The event took place at the “Der Tagesspiegel”, a German newspaper.

The fate of the Yazidi women has dominated the headlines of the international media for months. The atrocities they have been subjected to and continue to suffer are hard to believe. Yazidi women and girls have been held captive, enslaved and systematically raped by fighters of the terror organization "Islamic State". Their ordeals have aroused great public interest, with the consequence that selected individuals are now being flown to Europe to receive treatment abroad.

More than three million Iraqis were forced to flee their homes. More than one million of them found refuge in the safe Kurdish provinces of the country. Every fifth person in Kurdistan-Iraq is now a refugee. Most of them live in overcrowded camps and struggle to make a living. Winters in Iraq can be rough, especially in unheated tents, yet not every family can afford buying gasoline for the heaters or even shoes for their children.

The Jiyan Foundation is building a therapeutic garden for women and children in Chamchamal. The first of its kind, the healing garden will provide a safe space for women, children, and youth who have experienced domestic violence, abuse, and other human rights violations. Together with you, we can make a difference!

On May 26, the Jiyan Foundation distributed water-powered air conditioners to the 3120 Yazidi families living in the Khanke camp near Duhok. Each family received one cooling device. With outside temperatures already approaching 40°C, the delivery of these air coolers was a welcome relief.

On 25 May, the Jiyan Foundation celebrated a decade of trauma treatment and human rights work in Iraq at the Cultural and Social Center of the Salahaddin University in Erbil, Kurdistan.

Salah Ahmad, President of the Jiyan Foundation, welcomed the 200 guests and members of staff before a short documentary about the work of the organisation was shown.

On 17 April 2015, the Jiyan Foundation and the German Wings of Hope Foundation concluded the first three-year training for 20 trauma therapists in Iraq. These specialists are the first of their kind in a region shaken by extremist violence and the largest refugee crisis since World War II.

On 16 March, our team in Halabja commemorated the 27th anniversary of the 1988 chemical attacks.

Highlighting the long-term effects of these attacks, our center in Halabja officially opened a department for children. They invited children of survivors who have been seeking treatment at our center.

Salah Ahmad, founder of the Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights, received the Order of Merit on Neck Ribbon of the Federal Republic of Germany from the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Dr. Gerd Müller for his humanitarian work in Germany and Iraq on February 26, 2015.