The Fund helps the the ‘Al Sikak’ and ‘Rumaila’ villages to the north of the field, the community of the Zubair district and Abu Sukhair and Al Khora village, close to the Qarmat Ali Water Treatment Plant.
Some of these communities are isolated, have high levels of unemployment and limited amenities. And because they are Rumaila‘s closest neighbours, we have prioritized the SWF‘s resources to help these people (although we also support initiatives in Basra).
Nothing is more important than health. To this end, the Fund has invested in significantly raising the quality of healthcare in the locality by improving access and availability to healthcare treatment, the quality of medical care and equipment, and the provision of vaccination and medicine.
This has been achieved by:
In addition, world-class equipment has been provided to local hospitals. This includes the first of its kind laparoscopic device for Zubair General Hospital (see press release here) and a world-class computed tomography (CT) scanner diagnostic tool for the Centre for Radiation Therapy at the Basra Al-Sadir Teaching Hospital (see press release here).
Schools in the area have been refurbished by ROO. Insulation, lighting, electrical wiring, paving and fencing facilities have been upgraded to provide a better teaching environment; female latrines were constructed to counter what had been identified as the main barrier to regular female school attendance.
The SWF-funded Women’s Training Centre in Al Khora village provides training for vulnerable women, most of whom are the main breadwinners for their families. Across the past eight years, more than 3,000 women have benefitted from the training provided by the centre. Many have gone on to set up their own community businesses (read more here).
These include: