electronicIraq.net

Direct Aid Initiative
Rasul

Staff, Direct Aid Initiative

Nov 19, 2007

The Direct Aid Initiative is a project of Electronic Iraq intended to support Iraqis displaced as the result of the ongoing Iraqi crises through providing funds for crucial medical expenses.


Rasul (whose name in Arabic means 'messenger') is an eight-year-old boy from Baghdad.  Rasul was struck by gunfire as he returned from a candy store in his neighborhood. A bullet from an ongoing firefight entered Rasul's left eye, passed through his nose, and exited his right eye. As a result, his left eye is missing entirely, and his right eye has been reduced to approximately 20% of full vision.  

From Baghdad, Rasul's mother endured three extremely dangerous trips to Jordan to arrange medical care for her son.  In each case, the lack of follow-up care in Iraq resulted in the rejection of the skin-grafts that would repair Rasul's left eye socket and nose. The scarce resources donated by members of the Iraqi community to cover Rasul's surgical costs were eventually exhausted.

DAI maintains ongoing communication with Rasul and his mother in Baghdad, where they are awaiting an opportunity to travel for medical care in the US. Tragically, one of Rasul's close family members was kidnapped and killed in mid-July. DAI has facilitated sending some funds to Rasul to help with basic living expenses, but he and his mother, like all Iraqis in Baghdad, remain in danger.

DAI staff and volunteers are working closely with Rasul's family to arrange treatment for Rasul in the United States.  We will post an update as soon as there is progress.