Project Report
| Jul 23, 2020
FYF Virtual Commemoration of Yezidi Genocide
By Pari Ibrahim | Executive Director
FYF Virtual Commemoration of Yezidi Genocide - 3 August 2020
Free Yezidi Foundation Commemoration of the Yezidi Genocide
The Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) invites you to join us as we commemorate six years since the Yezidi Genocide. We will be holding a virtual event with local and international experts from various UN, governmental, and non-governmental actors. Our goal is to bring together experts on a wide range of subjects to foster meaningful conversations on the plight of Yezidis and efforts toward recovery and a brighter future. Confirmed speakers include United Nations representatives, diplomats, academics, and field experts.
Six years ago, ISIS militants swept through Sinjar and surrounding towns and conducted a deliberate attempt to annihilate the Yezidi people. It is important that the atrocities, sexual violence, and genocide perpetrated by ISIS are remembered by the international community, as Yezidis continue to pursue meaningful action. August 3rd is a day of sorrow for the Yezidi people, especially survivors. At this time of the year, we ask our friends and allies to come together to discuss the genocide and its effect on Yezidis.
The commemoration will be broadcast on Monday, 3 August 2020:
8am – 2pm EST (New York)
1pm – 7pm GMT (United Kingdom)
2pm – 8pm CET (Central Europe)
3pm – 9pm Iraq
Please save the date for this important event. More details will be forthcoming with instructions on how to view the panels.
We hope that you can join us and show your support. On behalf of the FYF team, thank you for your dedication to the rights and welfare of Yezidis.
Sincerely,
The Free Yezidi Foundation
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Jun 4, 2020
FYF Monthly Newsletter - June 2020
By Pari Ibrahim | FYF Monthly Newsletter - June 2020 Danger to Yez
FYF Monthly Newsletter - June 2020Danger to Yezidis and Religious Minorities Escalates in Syria
Over the last two years, Turkey and Turkish-supported militias have committed countless violations in Afrin and in North East Syria. This has included wholescale demographic change and ethnic cleansing, looting, and destruction of houses of worship, with particular danger faced by religious minorities like Yezidis, Christians, and others. In the last months, several Yezidi women have been kidnapped. Turkey and Turkish-backed extremist forces, including former ISIS members, took control of Afrin in 2018 and parts of North East Syria in 2019. The Free Yezidi Foundation issued a stark warning in early 2019 of the calamitous impact that these invasions would have on the existence of religious minorities in the area.
Voices from the Field
FYF’s trauma team has been working to provide our beneficiaries with remote services during the current COVID-19 crisis. In this segment of “voices from the field,” we hear directly from our trauma team in the field about what it is like working with survivors in the displaced Yezidi community during the pandemic.
"During COVID-19 the suicidality we encounter within the Yezidi population has increased sharply. A main reason is frustration due to challenges by the prolonged stay in the camps, lack of employment, poverty, and hopelessness for the future. As a result there is an increased demand for trauma treatment.
The weeks of working remotely with our beneficiaries and team members proved to be challenging as the electricity and internet connection were not always stable. In addition, most of our beneficiaries did not have internet at all, so we had to work by telephone. Although we were grateful that we were able to support our beneficiaries during the lockdown, especially those suffering from severe trauma, we found telephone sessions challenging because we were not able to see their faces or make direct eye contact.
With the gradual relaxing of the restrictions, we were finally able to return to the Women’s Center and begin seeing our beneficiaries and team members in person. It felt great to be able to meet them face-to-face after so many weeks of working remotely.
Now the whole trauma team is back working at the center and in the field, though in a reduced capacity. As this pandemic appears to be with us for the foreseeable future, we are taking all the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and our beneficiaries safe by following physical distancing and prevention guidelines."
- The FYF Trauma Team
FYF staff providing beneficiaries with language courses at a reduced capacity.
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May 20, 2020
FYF May Newsletter
By Pari Ibrahim | Executive Director
FYF May Newsletter
Children in Khanke IDP camp celebrate the Yezidi New Year.
Dear Friends,
In April, Yezidis around the world celebrated the Yezidi New Year, despite the global challenges we all face. During this difficult time, FYF remains steadfast in our commitment to providing aid and support to Yezidis in need.
FYF’s COVID-19 Response
FYF continues to deliver protective equipment to essential frontline workers and IDPs living in and around Khanke IDP camp. Now more than ever, displaced Yezidi communities need accurate information and health guidance. FYF distributed hygiene kits and WHO recommendation flyers to more than 600 families, including single women and widows. Our hygiene kits consist of hygienic pads for women, antibacterial products, wet wipes, shampoo, and a COVID-19 awareness brochure. In addition, our team in Khanke began manufacturing and distributing protective masks to camp residents and essential personnel such as medical staff, doctors, checkpoint officials, government officials, and camp managers. We are working to increase our production in the coming weeks to meet the needs of vulnerable Yezidis in the region.
Looking Back
FYF’s justice project and trauma program continue to operate virtually. Our legal team has been working to identify and interview survivors of ISIS crimes. Our team conducted remote information sessions and has analyzed information on potential cases. Justice and accountability for atrocities against Yezidis, including gender-based crimes, remains an important aspect of FYF’s work. Even in times of crisis, we must not allow perpetrators to escape with impunity.
After health authorities issued a decision to prevent public gatherings, the FYF trauma team began using social media to support our beneficiaries through videos about mental health in quarantine and COVID-19 prevention. Our team conducted individual psychological assessments and therapy sessions virtually. FYF psychologists also completed remote training and support sessions for our field staff.
FYF distributing dignity kits to IDP camp residents.
Justice for genocide: Yazidis hopeful as Islamic State trial opens in Germany | Pari Ibrahim, FYF's Executive Director, was quoted in an Al-Monitor article highlighting the trial of Taha Al-J in Frankfurt, Germany. According to the indictment, the suspect purchased and enslaved a Yezidi woman and her 5-year-old daughter. The suspected ISIS militant is being accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
15-year-old Yezidi genocide survivor killed in Germany | Pari was also quoted in a Kurdistan 24 article about Arkan Hussein Kjo, a survivor of the Yezidi genocide, who was killed in Germany. “Although the specific motives behind the attack are not yet known, it is nevertheless a sad event to see a Yezidi survivor suffer. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim and we hope that justice will be served.”
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