On Monday, August 4, the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) – established in 2005 to assist people in need without discrimination during natural disasters and war – celebrated its 20th anniversary supporting the needy.
The BCF, which was founded by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, has been active in providing humanitarian aid in the Kurdistan Region, other parts of Iraq, and Syria, as well as to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Palestinians in Gaza. It has an official working license in the United States and the UK and is a member of the UN’s Economic and Social Council.
“Guided by the timeless motto of [Prime Minister] Barzani – ‘It is an honor to be a servant of your own people’ – BCF has stayed true to its humanitarian mission across borders, crises, and generations,” Karzan Noori, Board Member and Program Manager of the BCF said on its 20th anniversary.
Noori said that the BCF “has served the most vulnerable without distinction – regardless of color, nationality, ethnicity, or background. Whether in refugee camps, conflict zones, or disaster-hit communities, we have upheld the principle that all human lives have equal worth.”
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Following the rise of ISIS in 2014, which triggered the displacement of around 2 million people to the Kurdistan Region, the Barzani Charity Foundation dedicated itself to supporting refugees and eventually took over the management of 30 camps, providing food to millions of displaced.
Furthermore, the charity has focused on supporting widows and orphans with education and mental health services in the Kurdistan Region and other regions of Iraq, as well as in the Kurdish region of Afrin in Syria.
The BCF has also focused on protecting the environment by campaigning against the use of plastic, and participated in a cleaning campaign in the city of Mosul in 2020. Furthermore, the BCF has renovated hundreds of schools in the Kurdistan Region over the years.
Since 2023, the BCF has been active in Afrin where it established the Barzani Center for Culture and Development, helping flood victims, setting up medical clinics, helping returnees displaced by conflict, and providing education in Kurdish and English.
— Barzani Charity Foundation (@BarzaniCF) August 4, 2025
Musa Ahmed, President of the BCF, underlined in a statement that over the past 20 years, the BCF has conveyed the humanitarian message of the Kurdish nation to the global community.
“In these two decades of humanitarian struggle, guided by the values of President Masoud Barzani, the BCF has always stood beside the suffering and needs of the people of Kurdistan and the region. It has consistently planned to build strong individuals and resilient societies founded on coexistence.”
Markus Kampling, Board Member at the German Caritas Refugee Aid Essen, highlighted in a letter to BCF President Ahmed their longstanding cooperation. “The BCF has always been a partner with whom we have been able to work closely, trustingly, and amicably for the benefit of the people in Kurdistan.
“Although the challenges have been enormous, BCF staff have always tirelessly done their best to provide professional humanitarian work for those in need – regardless of their religion or ethnicity.”
The Kurdish leadership commended the organization for their efforts. In a statement President Masoud Barzani praised the efforts of the BCF for their role in assisting displaced persons, refugees, the sick, orphans, and the poor.
“They have carried out their duties in a most honorable and commendable manner, and they are deserving of great pride. I express my gratitude and appreciation to them, and I wish them continued success and progress.”
In a separate statement, KRG Prime Minister Barzani also praised the charity foundation for providing “valuable and outstanding services to the poor, those in need, and the displaced – not only in Kurdistan, but also across other parts of Iraq, neighboring countries, and the wider world.”
“I express my deep respect and recognition to all philanthropists, donors, and all parties, agencies, organizations, and charitable institutions that cooperate and coordinate with the BCF and carry out joint activities and projects.”
The BCF collaborates with a wide range of major international donors and partners.
Key donors include the Emirates Red Crescent, the French government, the Kuwait Society for Relief, LDS Charities, Microsoft, the German Corporation for International Cooperation, and Switzerland’s Catholic Parish Church Teufen Buher Stein.
Among its most significant partners are global and regional organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Samaritan’s Purse, the Khalifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan Foundation, Islamic Relief, and others.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in a statement emphasized that the work of the BCF “serves as a notable representation of humanity and assistance, which has made a lasting impact and deserves great respect and gratitude.”
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Noori also stated that in 2025, the BCF is scaling up its efforts to help youth and children affected by drug addiction and autism and focusing more on climate-related initiatives.
“Through rehabilitation, awareness, and inclusive care programs, we aim to turn pain into purpose and isolation into hope,” Noori said.
“Furthermore, BCF is placing environmental protection and climate action at the heart of its future plans. We recognize that serving humanity also means safeguarding the planet we all share.”
