Ead Samawi Foundation Iraq Physical Rehabilitation Center

Project Overview

  • Project Name: ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Centre Construction in Erbil
  • Location: Erbil, Northern Iraq
  • Construction Support: 2019-2020 (Ead Samawi Foundation contribution)
  • Official Opening: March 15, 2022
  • Partner Organization: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • Facility Size: 14,630 square meters
  • Distinction: Largest rehabilitation center in Iraq

Facility Specifications

Infrastructure Details

  • Total Area: 14,630 square meters
  • Status: Largest physical rehabilitation facility in Iraq
  • Location: Erbil, northern Iraq
  • Geographic Coverage: Northern Iraq and other governorates with limited services
  • Operational Status: Fully operational since March 2022

Annual Capacity

  • Beneficiaries: Up to 6,000 people served annually
  • Service Type: Comprehensive rehabilitation services
  • Target Population: People with physical disabilities from across Iraq

Services Provided

Medical Rehabilitation Services

  • Physiotherapy: Professional physical therapy treatments
  • Prostheses Production: Custom artificial limb manufacturing
  • Orthoses Manufacturing: Supportive device creation
  • Mobility Restoration: Comprehensive movement rehabilitation
  • Independence Training: Skills for autonomous living

Complementary Programs

  • Social Inclusion Support: Civil society organization partnerships
  • Economic Integration: Community-based inclusion programs
  • Mine Risk Education: Explosive remnants of war awareness sessions
  • Community Outreach: Prevention and education programs

Target Population

Primary Beneficiaries

  • People with Physical Disabilities: Primary service recipients across Iraq
  • Conflict-Affected Individuals: Those disabled due to violence and war
  • Mine/Explosive Victims: Individuals injured by remnants of war
  • Regional Population: Residents of northern Iraq and underserved governorates

Geographic Coverage

  • Primary Service Area: Erbil and northern Iraq region
  • Extended Coverage: Other Iraqi governorates with limited rehabilitation services
  • Population Served: Up to 6,000 individuals annually
  • Service Gaps: Addressing areas where rehabilitation care is unavailable

Historical Context

ICRC Presence in Iraq

  • Operational Since: 1980 (Iran-Iraq war period)
  • Focus: Armed conflict consequences and violence situations
  • Current Context: Post-large-scale military operations recovery phase
  • Ongoing Needs: Millions of Iraqis still requiring humanitarian assistance

Conflict Impact

  • Disability Causes: Armed conflicts, explosive devices, violence
  • Population Needs: Significant numbers of people with conflict-related disabilities
  • Service Requirements: Comprehensive rehabilitation and social inclusion
  • Recovery Phase: Transition from emergency to reconstruction and development

Partnership Structure

Funding Organization

  • Ead Samawi Foundation
  • Support Period: 2019-2020 construction phase
  • Contribution: Financial backing for facility construction

Implementing Organization

  • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • Expertise: Health services, physical rehabilitation, and protection
  • Operational Experience: Over 40 years in Iraq since 1980
  • Approach: Comprehensive medical and social inclusion programming

Community Partners

  • Civil Society Organizations: Social and economic inclusion partnerships
  • Local Communities: Mine risk education and awareness programs
  • Government Entities: Coordination with Iraqi health authorities

Project Objectives

Primary Goals

  • Access Improvement: Enhance rehabilitation service availability in northern Iraq
  • Capacity Building: Provide largest rehabilitation facility in country
  • Mobility Restoration: Help individuals regain physical function and independence
  • Regional Coverage: Serve underserved governorates across Iraq

Comprehensive Approach

  • Medical Services: Professional rehabilitation and device manufacturing
  • Social Inclusion: Community integration and civil society partnerships
  • Prevention: Mine risk education and injury prevention programs
  • Dignity Restoration: Empowering people with disabilities to rebuild lives

Impact and Outcomes

Individual Impact

  • Annual Beneficiaries: Up to 6,000 people served yearly
  • Mobility Restoration: Thousands regain independence and movement
  • Quality of Life: Significant improvement in daily functioning
  • Social Reintegration: Enhanced community participation and inclusion

Regional Impact

  • Service Expansion: Largest rehabilitation facility serving multiple governorates
  • Capacity Enhancement: Dramatically increased rehabilitation service availability
  • Geographic Coverage: Reaching previously underserved areas of Iraq
  • Standard Setting: Establishing high-quality rehabilitation care model

Specialized Programs

Mine Risk Mitigation

  • Awareness Sessions: Community education about explosive remnants
  • Risk Reduction: Prevention of additional injuries from unexploded ordnance
  • Community Outreach: Targeting at-risk populations
  • Safety Education: Teaching identification and avoidance of dangerous areas

Social Integration

  • Civil Society Partnerships: Collaborating with local organizations
  • Economic Inclusion: Supporting livelihood opportunities for people with disabilities
  • Community Programs: Promoting acceptance and integration
  • Advocacy: Working to reduce discrimination and barriers

Current Status

  • Operational: Fully functional since March 15, 2022
  • Service Delivery: Regular comprehensive rehabilitation services
  • Annual Capacity: Up to 6,000 beneficiaries served yearly
  • Regional Leadership: Largest and most comprehensive facility in Iraq

This project represents a major infrastructure achievement for disability services in Iraq, creating the country’s largest rehabilitation facility to serve thousands of people with physical disabilities annually across multiple governorates.

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