"Help the victims of Iraq" – Save the Children Denmark and five other organisations joined forces subsequent to the outbreak of the war in Iraq to make this appeal and collect funds for the Iraqi people. The magnitude of the need for help was beyond all doubt. International sanctions and the neglect of the education sector under the regime of Saddam Hussein had run down the previously well functioning country.
 
The Danes demonstrated their great engagement and desire to help the Iraqi people. DKK 36.9 million were collected in total, of which Save the Children Denmark received DKK 4 million for work with the children of Iraq.

Save the Children Denmark says ‘Thank you!' for the wonderful help to the children of Iraq!

Security is decisive
Save the Children Denmark is renovating schools, distributing teaching materials, educating social workers and building playgrounds in Iraq. These efforts are concentrated around Baghdad, Basra and northern Iraq.

On account of the lack of security, the relief work in Iraq has represented a significant challenge to Save the Children Denmark. Projects throughout the country have been delayed. The safety of our personnel is always the top priority for Save the Children Denmark, and there have been periods in which personnel have not been able to receive permission to visit the project areas. The work is conducted under the greatest care and as inconspicuously as possible: there are no markings on our automobiles or signs indicating the location of the Save the Children Denmark offices.

The security situation in Baghdad is particulalry problematic and regrettably forced Save the Children Denmark to discontinue its work within the city as of 1 October 2003. In the beginning of February, decision was made to end the Baghdad project definitively. Conversely, we have been able to increase activities in the Basra region, where there is also great need for help. Save the Children Denmark is one of the largest international organisations operating in the region. Since closing the Baghdad office, the work in the north has suffered delays, as these efforts were coordinated from Baghdad.

Save the Children Denmark has been working in close cooperation with its sister organisations in the International Save the Children Alliance. Some of these organisations have been working in Iraq for more than ten years.

Please read about Save the Children Denmark's work in Iraq at: www.krigensofre.dk