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The Sinjar Action Fund

Yezidi activist and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Nadia Murad’s advocacy work led her to meet people from around the world, including regional and global polit- ical leaders. She was frequently asked how governments and organization might help the Yazidis. Sadly, most leaders offered verbal support, but little material action. Political and situational constraints were blamed for inaction, and when aid came, it often failed to reach those in need. As a result, Nadia’s frustra- tion with the international community grew. She saw a lack of will by world leaders resulting in a lack of progress in helping the Yazidi community, including redeveloping Sinjar. Thus, Nadia’s Initiative developed the idea of “The Sinjar Action Fund.” (SAF)

The situation in Sinjar is dire. The Yazidis face fatalities due to mines and systemically destroyed in- frastructure as consequence of a ruthless genocide. Presently there are over 300,000 internally displace Yazidi’s in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, mostly living in squalor in IDP camps with little of the basic human necessities. Only 70,000 have returned. Unless the Yazidis can return to their ancient homeland and make a life for themselves, ISIS’s program of genocide will be a success.

However, if Sinjar is redeveloped and the Yazidi people can return, it will be a significant accomplishment with positive repurcussions for the region and beyond. ISIS's aim of erasing the Yazidis from history must not only fail but backfire. We must establish mechanisms that not only prosecute genocide but un- dermine its effectiveness as a tactic. We owe it to future generations to establish successful examples of reconstruction, unity, and justice. Please help the SAF become a platform for the best aspects of the re- gional and international communities and, ultimately, a deterrent against future crimes.

What Is SAF? So that the Yazidi people may return home as soon as possible, the SAF emphasizes humanitarian priori- ties and cooperation. Nadia’s outreach to many groups, regionally and internationally, has always sought unity. We hope the SAF will be looked at as an opportunity for the Baghdad central government and the KRG to coordinate in the long disputed territory of Sinjar. Baghdad and KRG’s cooperation is essential for a successful construction process. Yazidis of all political affiliations are invited to work together constructively. These terrible circumstances have made mutual support and compassion essential.

How Does SAF Work?

The SAF includes two categories of contributions.

1. Coalition of Commitments from Nation States The SAF seeks commitments from nation states to allocate part of their reconstruction money for rebuild- ing Sinjar. The SAF will follow up on initial verbal commitments, monitor, oversee, and report progress. Because of Nadia’s advocacy work, she has built a global platform to share findings, commend support- ers, and encourage participants in meeting their commitments.

2. Fund operated by Nadia’s Initiative The Sinjar Action Fund is open to all nation-states, non-governmental organizations, and individuals of the international community willing to contribute directly to the SAF. Funds given to Nadia’s Initiative will be allocated to reconstruction projects based on a detailed assessment currently underway in the Sin- jar region. Donations will go to de-mining and the reconstruction of essential infrastructures (schools, hospitals, sewages, roads, and bridges). Donors may also make contributions of technical support and ex- pertise. Who Is Part of SAF? The SAF was initially organized in cooperation with the French government. The first priorities, de- scribed by President Macron, include a commitment to de-mining, which is already underway. However, the SAF is not limited to the French. The needs of the region are vast, and no one country could support the full re-development of Sinjar.

Who Is Part of SAF? The SAF was initially organized by Nadia's Initiative in cooperation with the French government. The first priorities, described by President Macron, include a commitment to de-mining, which is already underway. However, the SAF is not limited to the French. The needs of the region are vast, and no one country could support the full re-development of Sinjar.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/10/opinion/sunday/yazidis-islamic-state-rape-genocide.html https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/nadia-murad-yazidi-isis-rebuilding-sinjar-iraq/ https://nadiasinitiative.org/saf/