Salvation Army Cements Relationships in Iraq
Representatives from The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters (IHQ) have travelled to Erbil in Iraq to formalise the ongoing relationship between The Salvation Army and the Iraqi Salvation Humanitarian Organisation (ISHO).
Commissioner Robin Forsyth (International Secretary for Programme Resources, International Headquarters and Mr Muntajab Ibraheem (Chair, ISHO) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, ensuring a continued close working relationship between the two organisations. An engraved crystal bowl was presented to Mr Muntajab to mark the occasion.
Between 2003 and 2006 The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services operated an extensive community recovery programme in Iraq, utilising a combination of international staff and Iraqi employees who worked alongside each other to ensure the achievement of common goals. From May 2004 until March 2006 The Salvation Army managed the programme from Kuwait due to security concerns, with Iraqi personnel implementing activities within Iraq.
When The Salvation Army formally concluded its work in Iraq, some of its Iraqi workers— building on the experience they had gained working with and for The Salvation Army—formed and subsequently managed ISHO as an independent humanitarian organisation.
Today, ISHO is a flourishing non-governmental organisation with offices in Baghdad, Basra and Babylon. It supports a number of important projects, working in local Iraqi communities and with internally displaced people who are returning home, providing housing, health education and school equipment.
The Memorandum of Understanding envisages that The Salvation Army will continue to provide organisational and project support to ISHO and, where necessary, training and publicity. Similarly, ISHO will assist The Salvation Army where it can within the region.
Representing The Salvation Army at the meetings were Commissioner Forsyth along with Majors Raelton Gibbs and Drew Ruthven (both from International Emergency Services at International Headquarters). The ISHO representation included Mr Muntajab, Ms Shaima’a Karim Sadoun (ISHO Deputy) and members of the ISHO board.