Haifa’a

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Haifa’a was shot in the face by members of a militia in Baghdad as a result of her failure to abide by the new restrictions they had placed on women’s behavior in her neighborhood. The weapon used fired a special kind of corrosive cartridge - only manufactured in the United States and Israel - that destroyed Haifa’a’s eye and much of the bone surrounding it.

The spread of weapons like this to the hands of militias has been facilitated by the US providing these weapons as part of their training of “Iraqi security forces”, which are heavily infiltrated - and in many cases nearly completely comprised of - members of militias like the one that attacked Haifa’a. The result is that US taxpayers’ money continues to put these horrific weapons into the hands of groups like the one that targeted Haifa’a.

While Haifa’a is being supported with major reconstructive surgery by another international medical organization in Amman, DAI is responding by providing her with a home health aide and continued advocacy to ensure she receives continuing support and attention. Her sister, who had previously been her sole supporter, has been forced to return to Iraq, and she needs ongoing in-home care due to near-blindness caused by her injuries.

The cost of a home health aide for Haifa’a will be approximately $400 USD for the two months we estimate it will be necessary for her to complete this stage of her treatment.

Click here and donate now to support Haifa’a and many others displaced by the violence in Iraq.