Mercy Hands and Ministry of Interior Forge Strategic Partnership to Protect Children

Baghdad, 19 August 2025 – Mercy Hands held a high-level meeting with senior officials at the Ministry of Interior, alongside consultations with the Directorate for Combating Human Trafficking. The discussions were practical and focused on a shared priority: protecting children and strengthening community resilience.

The meeting explored opportunities to develop child-friendly media tools and nationwide awareness campaigns on critical issues such as child marriage, violence against children, gender-based abuse, and nutrition. The importance of delivering these messages in accessible and culturally appropriate formats was emphasized, ensuring that families and children can engage with them effectively.

Government counterparts expressed clear commitment to move from planning to implementation. In the coming phase, Mercy Hands will work closely with relevant directorates to pilot media products and outreach activities in selected areas, with an emphasis on safety, reliability, and real impact for children.

“Mercy Hands considers this meeting as the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing child protection and building safer, more resilient communities.”

This collaboration sets the stage for broader, more impactful initiatives, laying the foundation for sustainable change and ensuring that protection messages reach the children and families who need them most across Iraq.

Snapshots from Mercy Hands’ meeting with the Ministry of Interior on child protection

Nationwide awareness plans with the Directorate for Combating Human Trafficking

Coordination of media and outreach activities to ensure messages reach children and families