YAZIDI SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Yazidi (or Êzidî) community is a religious minority, originally from Northern Iraq and Northern Syria. In August 2014, the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) attacked the Yazidi people in the Sinjar mountain region of northern Iraq, their ancestral homeland and primary area of settlement. In this brutal genocide, more than 5,000 men were executed, over 10,000 women and children were abducted and enslaved, and over 400,000 Yazidis were forced to flee.
More than a decade later, the majority of survivors remain in “temporary” camps and poor urban living conditions, in northern Iraq and in transit countries such as Türkiye. They have neither the possibility to return to their homeland nor to build stable futures whilst facing ongoing displacement. Instead, they are confronted with severe hardship, insecurity, exploitation, and discrimination.
The 2014 genocide was not the first time the Yazidi community faced mass persecution, enslavement, and killings. Their history is marked by a cycle of pogroms, massacres and forced conversions, denying the indigenous beliefs of Yazidism. Despite these repeated crimes against humanity, there have been few effective international mechanisms put in place to offer meaningful and sustained protection to this minority community. Survivors of the genocide continue to face systemic marginalisation and remain exposed to exploitation, with no access to systems of justice.
Since July 2021, UHfR has developed a strong working relationship with a displaced Yazidi community. During this time, we have built close connections with leaders and members of the community and they have taught us about the community’s rich and long history. As a result, we have come to focus much of our efforts on collaborating with the community to support their direct needs, similarly to our emergency response program outlined above.
As part of our Community Support Program, UHfR has been effective in working with, and providing assistance to, a large Yazidi community living in particularly precarious circumstances. We provide essential nutrition and hygiene products, facilitate access to health services, support the maintenance of cultural identity and heritage, advocate for the protection and fulfillment of their human rights, and raise awareness of their complex history and circumstances.
At the same time, we are focused on raising awareness about the culture and history of the Yazidis. Our aim is to engage with and inform our supporters, reduce stigmas, and to collaborate with the community in their efforts to preserve the unique Yazidi identity for future generations.
The effectiveness of our work relies on the close and trusted relationships and strong bonds we have developed with community representatives, ensuring we are able to respond quickly and carefully to the ever-changing needs of the community. Whilst acknowledging the limitations we face, our hope and vision is to support and assist the Yazidi community through a long-term partnership towards building community resilience and wellbeing.
The Yazidi community face extremely complex challenges due to their exceptional history and sensitive circumstances. As such, a high degree of security is essential to ensure their safety. Therefore, we appreciate your understanding of our need for discretion in relation to sharing detailed information about our work with this community.
We believe in the power of communities representing themselves and their stories directly. Therefore, for those interested to understand the history and issues in more depth, we recommend the following Yazidi-run organisation websites as further learning resources.
Disclaimer: We acknowledge that all sources of information relating to this complex and contested issue, including the links provided here, are limited and subjective to some extent. Therefore, we encourage you to review these, and all other sources, with an open mind and critical awareness. In providing these links, we do not attest to their complete and unbiased content or acknowledge any association of UHfR with these agencies, their policies or actions.
UN Report:
ISIL/Da’esh Committed Genocide of Yazidi, War Crimes against Unarmed Cadets, Military Personnel in Iraq, Investigative Team Head Tells Security Council
This page provides valuable information about the Yazidi history and cultural heritage:
These reports by Amnesty International and Yazda provide insight into the ongoing struggles that Yazidi genocide survivors continue to face:
We welcome your support
We welcome you to contact us directly if you are interested to learn more about the details of our work, and look forward to working together towards supporting the needs and future of the Yazidi community.
As a volunteer-run organization, we rely on compassionate individuals like you to strengthen our impact. Whether through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness, your involvement helps us maintain our trusted relationships with communities and respond effectively to their evolving needs.
Join our growing network of supporters committed to creating positive change for displaced communities.
Together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive world.
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