Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC) says it continues to expand its humanitarian work across the Kurdistan Region, marking more than 35 years of service while reporting growing concerns over child labor and poverty among children.

The organization said its programs currently support thousands of children through healthcare, education, income support, and sponsorship initiatives, while also warning of an increase in the number of children working on the streets.

Three Decades of Humanitarian Work

Kurdistan Save the Children (KSC), founded in 1991 by Hero Ibrahim Ahmad, has operated for more than three decades as a leading humanitarian organization supporting vulnerable children in the Kurdistan Region.

The organization said its work is carried out through three main strategic programs covering livelihood support, healthcare services, and child sponsorship.

In addition, it provides assistance to orphaned and vulnerable children, supports hospitals, and delivers emergency relief during crises and natural disasters.

Sponsorship and Income Support Programs

Numan Abdulrahman Ali, a board member of Kurdistan Save the Children, told Channel8 that the organization’s “Sponsorship Project” has provided livelihoods for 12,000 children. He said 780 children benefited from the program in 2026 alone.

He added that through the Income Generation Project, 4,428 children have received support. The program is designed to create sustainable income sources for families who have lost one or both parents or have no stable income.

Under the Foster Care Project, low-income families are supported through sponsorship from local citizens and philanthropists. The program covers a child’s living and education expenses until the age of 16.

Healthcare Assistance for Thousands of Children

According to KSC, the Health Project has supported 30,825 children so far.

The program provides medical treatment for children inside and outside the country whose families are unable to afford care, ensuring access to essential healthcare services.

Rising Child Poverty and Labor

KSC also reported that 780 children across the Kurdistan Region are currently registered as living below the poverty line.

The organization said child labor has increased, with 1,013 children registered as working on the streets in 2025, compared with 818 in 2024.

Of the total, 578 children were recorded in Sulaymaniyah and 448 in Duhok. The figures include 226 girls, while the rest are boys. KSC said 598 of the children are from the Kurdistan Region, while the remainder are internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

Data Gaps in Erbil and Funding Needs

Numan Abdulrahman said the organization does not have updated statistics from Erbil Governorate.

“We have been unable to obtain accurate statistics there because while the mayoral committees cooperate with us in Sulaymaniyah and Duhok, that is not the case in Erbil,” he said.

He added that all 780 children registered under the poverty line are under the age of 15 and receive monthly assistance. The organization said it spends approximately 106 million dinars per month on this support.

Government Data Update

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs told Channel8 that no official new statistics on child labor have been recorded since 2010, highlighting a gap in updated national data on the issue.