In 2014, Islamic State (ISIS) committed genocide against the Yazidi community in the Sinjar region of northwestern Iraq. ISIS has deliberately destroyed farmland in the Sinjar region in the attacks, as well as the livelihoods and food security of Yazidis. In addition, many Yazidi women have become heads of households after the loss of their husbands.
With this project, Nadia's Initiative wants to support 25 female agricultural households in the Sinjar region in rebuilding and restoring their livelihoods. Reclaiming Sinjar's farmland, enabling the return of farmers and supporting the local economy are some steps in reversing the effects of ISIS'S genocide campaign.
Nadia's Initiative was founded in 2016 by Nobel Prize winner Nadia Murad, who as a Yazidi was the victim of sexual violence during the ISIS invasion of Iraq. The NGO focuses on both the reconstruction of the Sinjar region and the fight against sexual abuse in the world.
In 2019, after a visit by Nadia Murad to the Flemish Parliament, a first subsidy was transferred to Nadia's Initiative. On July 9, 2020, Minister-President Jambon had a meeting with Ms Murad about the situation in the region. This year, the Minister-President decided to allocate a subsidy of 200,000 euros to this organization again.
