Zlu’iya volunteer team members have no limitations on their time or availability; they are always ready to help anyone in need.
In 2016, when the Zlu’iya volunteer team took its first steps, as Salahaddin province was facing challenges due to areas still under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Hamad Sumaidai, an activist in Salahaddin's Zlu’iya district, said the idea was conceived when people in the area were in a dangerous situation, especially when they were displaced to camps and the government was engaged in military operations
“The team was formed by five young individuals who believed in the power of volunteering. Over time, the team has grown to include 50 volunteers, 15 of whom are women, thank God.”
Initially, the team focused on providing relief efforts such as distributing food baskets, setting up tents, and providing shelter, flour, and clothing. Their assistance extended beyond Salahaddin province to refugee camps in other provinces like Erbil, Sulaimani, and Nineveh.
They operate not only in one province or region, but they also reached out to the camps for the internally displaced persons IDP in several provinces, including Hassan Sham camp in Erbil, Arbat camp in Sulaimaniya, Jad’a and Hamam Alil camps in Nineveh. The camps of Shahama, Tal Sibat and Hardania and Hata in the provinces of in Anbar and Salahaddin.
Thousands of families in Salahaddin and other provinces were displaced by the war against ISIL in 2014 until all areas were recaptured in late 2017 and the return of IDPs.
“After the liberation of the areas and the return of the IDPs to their areas, our working methods changed from emergency relief to continuous relief, especially in order to encourage and strengthen the refugee return process,” Sumaidai added.
In their new steps, the volunteer team of Zlu’iya began to rebuild and repair the damaged houses within the framework of the campaign (Shelter). Up today, 119 houses have been repaired, and in another campaign called (Sheltering) have built another 12 houses.
They operate in different fields and target all categories. They had small projects for women who had no source of livelihood, or who had lost their breadwinners and heads of households. Zlu’iya team was able to provide dairy cows for families in villages to make their living.
"78 cows were distributed to rural women, 78 families benefited, including those who are missing, many of them were in Saqlawia sub-district of Fallujah," Sumaidai said.
They have social activities, opening markets and exhibitions for women every three months to support them to sell their handicrafts and arts.
Every year, the Zaluya volunteer team brings together volunteers from all Iraqi provinces under (Nation Tent) to discuss their work, strengthen communication and coordination.
