Musa Ahmed: “We hope to live up to the loyalty of the people of Zakho. Whenever a project like this is launched here, we consider it a source of great pride.”
A new center dedicated to supporting children with Autism has been officially opened in Zakho. During the inauguration ceremony, the President of the Barzani Charity Foundation emphasized that, in addition to the existing autism centers in Erbil, Soran, and Zakho, a similar center will soon be established in Duhok.
The opening ceremony took place on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in the presence of Musa Ahmed, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation; Gohdar Shekho, Head of the Zakho Independent Administration; as well as a number of government officials, donors, representatives of civil society organizations, political parties, and media professionals.
The construction costs of the center’s building were generously covered by Hazhar Shingali and Ibrahim Shingali, while the management and operation of the center have been entrusted to the Barzani Charity Foundation, which has significant experience in this field.
In his speech, Musa Ahmed expressed his happiness that, on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, they were able to present a meaningful gift to the “resilient and loyal” people of Zakho. He noted that no one understands the true value of such centers more than the parents of children with autism, as they experience firsthand the daily challenges of caring for them.
He also extended special thanks to His Excellency Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Founders, for his continuous support of humanitarian initiatives and for entrusting the Foundation with the responsibility of managing the center.
Musa Ahmed further highlighted the Foundation’s role in assisting displaced persons and refugees, noting that its humanitarian efforts are widely recognized both locally and internationally. Since its establishment, one of the Foundation’s primary goals has been to prioritize children, their education, and their future. He added that more than 16,000 orphaned children and children of fallen heroes have benefited from its programs, and since 2012, over 83 million USD in financial aid has been distributed.
He also referred to the treatment of children through joint efforts between the Barzani Charity Foundation and Peace Village in Germany, where long-term medical services have been provided. Additionally, through a partnership with LDS Charities, launched in 2015, ongoing support has been offered to individuals with special needs both within and outside the Kurdistan Region.
In closing, Musa Ahmed reiterated that the Foundation’s humanitarian activities are broad and diverse, and would be difficult to fully summarize in a short time. He emphasized that all these initiatives are made possible through the generosity of donors, to whom he expressed deep gratitude. Regarding the new center in Zakho, he stated: “We consider ourselves indebted to this proud region. We hope to match the loyalty of Zakho’s people. No matter what is done for Zakho, it will never be enough.”
For his part, Gohdar Shekho highlighted that while several autism centers exist in Zakho, many families have been unable to continue treatment due to financial constraints. He stressed that establishing such a facility is one thing, but sustaining its operations is an ongoing challenge. He described the opening of a globally standardized autism center in Zakho as a moment of pride and expressed gratitude to the donors for their continued contributions, including building schools in the region.
Later, Dr. Rawsht Rashid, Health Sector Advisor at the Barzani Charity Foundation, presented important statistics, describing them as “alarming.” He cited a 2025 report by the World Health Organization, stating that 1 in 127 people worldwide are diagnosed with autism, with higher rates in some regions, where it affects 1 in 60 children.
He explained that the Foundation recognized this challenge early on and established its first autism center in Erbil five years ago, starting with only 15 children. Today, that number has grown significantly, with dozens of trained specialists providing services. Following the success of the Erbil center, which successfully trained 311 children, with 81 reintegrated into mainstream education, the model was expanded to Soran in 2023, benefiting 73 children.
Dr. Rawsht concluded his speech by noting that the Foundation’s autism centers have evolved into training hubs for specialized staff. So far, 55 trainers have been prepared in Soran and 30 in Zakho, who will contribute to the development of future centers and expand access to these essential services.
