Zain Iraq signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UNICEF

In line with its commitment to enhance the living standards of Iraqi children, Zain Iraq, part of Zain group - a leading telecom innovator in eight markets across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) – signed an MoU with UNICEF to multiply their contributions towards solving the key issues facing Iraqi society. The agreement will also support the ongoing governmental efforts to lift up the living standards of Iraqis. As per the MoU, Zain Iraq will contribute to the awareness campaigns conducted by various UNICEF programs to protect children, raise awareness amongst them and their families, and provide a proper living environment for them to help build a healthy new generation with better living conditions in Iraq.

“This MoU is a starting point to launch awareness and educational programs that aim at improving the living standards for Iraqi people, especially children, answering their needs,” said Ali Al-Zahid, Zain Iraq CEO. “The mandate of UNICEF is to protect children from negative social practices, support them and their families to raise their educational level being a major factor in the progress of any country, especially Iraq. Supporting childhood have proven to be key pillar in building societies,” he added.

“Partnering with international organizations will help raise educational and social levels of Iraqi children and contribute to building a bright future for our children. Zain Iraq effectively takes the initiative to play its role as a responsible citizen, as we identify our common national challenges and strive to contribute to solving it as part of our special care for the local society, especially children and youth. We always aim at paying back the society that we are a part of as an expression of our gratitude,” Al-Zahid concluded.

The signed MoU includes campaigns for pledging to donate to children, gathering donations, breastfeeding, back to school, routine immunization, immunization against polio and measles and fighting violence against children. These campaigns and their respective activities aim at building an educated generation through disseminating awareness messages on UNICEF social media platforms, media productions and SMS campaigns to reach the largest number of targeted people, in addition to monitoring the campaigns results.

“In moments of difficulties, access to information can save lives or provide parents with assurances on what they need to do for their children, from immunization to the benefits of breastfeeding. Through this partnership with Zain Iraq, hundreds of thousands of people will be reached with critical information to protect and advance the rights of children in Iraq,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Iraq.

This step is in line with Zain Iraq strategy that includes corporate social responsibility as one of its main pillars. The company is committed to provide the best of its services and expertise to support national awareness campaigns, with a focus on the health and education sectors. Zain Iraq’s partnership with UNICEF – part of the United Nations – is a representation of the importance of NGOs, private sector and public sector coming together to achieve successes through uniting the efforts and capacities of the three parties. Zain Iraq will work closely with UNICEF on the local and national levels to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.