Iraq: from terrified children to unfolding adults
Many children who survived ISIL control in Iraq were left traumatized. A decade later, thousands are young adults. How are we helping them face the future?
Written by Deborah Wolfe
on August 10, 2026
In 2014, Iraq commanded world attention when the radical Islamic militant group ISIL occupied parts of the country's north. News headlines highlighted ISIL's cruel control over the city of Mosul and other communities.
Between 2016 and 2017, Iraqi and coalition forces waged an intense military campaign to retake Mosul. Tens of thousands of girls and boys were caught in the crossfire. Thousands did not live to share their stories.
Of those who managed to flee the devastated area, many showed all the signs of trauma.
“This is just the beginning... “
World Vision met displaced children in camps in 2016. Some of the young survivors of the ISIL occupation were too terrified to even speak. World Vision’s trained psychologists were on hand to receive the children, listen and serve.
Our Iraq program manager at the time remembers a little boy who reached one of the child-friendly spaces we established. The child was mute with terror.
“By the end of the day, he was able to say his name,” World Vision’s Aaron Moore said at the time. “However, this is just the beginning of what could be years of specialist support, as children begin to rebuild their lives and regain a sense of normality.”
He was right.
During the military offensive to retake part of the Ninewah Governate from ISIL, thousands of children fled or were trapped in the crossfire. (Photo: World Vision Iraq)
A lasting toll for children
Years under the repression of ISIL occupation—and the displacements and turmoil that resulted—took a grave toll on children’s physical, emotional and mental health.
In the Sinjar region, for instance, thousands of Yazidi people were killed. Women and children were kidnapped, enslaved or forcibly separated from their families as ISIL attempted to wipe them out.
It’s no wonder that formal education, with its lightbulb moments and recess playtimes, wasn’t part of most childhoods.
“Children and young people spent formative years without normal schooling, safe spaces, or opportunities to develop socially and emotionally,” says Afnan Jirjees, a program manager with World Vision Iraq today.
Yet the years kept passing. Now, many child survivors are young adults struggling to figure out their lives and their futures.
Help in turbulent, unpredictable places
Iraq is one of several nations facing compound emergencies including armed conflict, economic and political turmoil, and natural disasters. Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan and Syria are some others.
For this reason, World Vision provides "Nexus programming" in these fragile contexts rather than traditional development approaches like child sponsorship. The Nexus approach is flexible, context-sensitive and highly responsive to the needs of people living in dangerous, unpredictable regions.
Welcome to our life skills workshops
Many of northern Iraq’s youth have had scant opportunity to learn life skills that most children in Canada learn in school or community programs.
That’s why World Vision Iraq recently offered an eight-day life skills training program in Sinjar and Baaj districts, welcoming 68 young women and men who had experienced conflict or displacement while growing up.
“I hope that the participants ... gain impactful information that benefits their communities," says World Vision Trainer Mahmood Sauod. (Photo: World Vision Iraq)
Through interactive activities and practical sessions, participants had the chance to grow in their communication, teamwork and decision-making abilities.
Many say the course helped them feel more confident and resilient, with new skills needed to navigate their daily challenges.
“My day [used to pass] without a clear plan,” said 29-year-old Alaa, who joined a similar life skills training in 2025. “I spent hours on my phone, moved between random tasks, and by evening, I realized I hadn’t achieved anything new.”
After the course, he had this to say, “I felt proud when I noticed my life changing for the better as a result of my efforts and ongoing support.” He now reports organizing his days, managing stress more easily, making decisions with confidence and building healthier relationships.
Young adults attending 2026 life skills trainings in Sinjar and Baaj gained new skills and confidence for the years ahead. (Photo: World Vision Iraq)
How can simple life skills workshops empower young people who’ve known so much conflict? It’s partly because they learn new ways to move forward amidst displacement and ongoing challenges.
“The topics were about how to solve problems in a civilized manner,” said participant Mohamed Mahmoud. “Decisions, how they are made, the type of decision made, and how [they] are made at the right place and time.”
As an observer from here in Canada, I wonder if there’s been a shift in way the participants see themselves. No longer are they shaped solely by what’s happened to them. Many now look to the future with optimism and teach others in their homes and communities to do the same.
“Everything I learned here is useful to me, and I will share it with others,” said Hiyam Saud, another participant.
“Everything I learned here is useful to me, and I will share it with others,” said Hiyam Saud, a recent participant. (Photo: World Vision Iraq)
Finally, these young people have safe spaces to grow, to learn, to develop. Hiyam may once have been a terrified little girl, but she's now a young woman facing the future. As I watch her speak with confident eloquence as a camera records her words, I can’t wait to see what she and the other participants will help bring about in Iraq in the years to come.
Hope is in the room.