A painting donated by artist Rojin Haj Hussen and Kurdistan Chronicle was sold at a fundraising auction in the United States on September 24, 2026, with the proceeds supporting efforts to improve healthcare in the Kurdistan Region.

“[The painting] was admired and praised by the attendees of the event, who appreciated the story behind the artwork,” Eva Said, Director of the Kurdistan Nursing and Midwifery Development Center (NMDC), told Kurdistan Chronicle.

The event aimed to raise funds for the center’s activities and its charitable work to improve healthcare services in the Kurdistan Region.

“It was bought by a supporter of the center and the funds are being used for the charitable work of the NMDC,” Said added.

“Over a decade of displacement and refuge in Erbil, I have come to realize that art is far more than lines and colors on a canvas; it is a profound humanitarian pulse, a noble message, and a moral responsibility toward my land and people,” Houssien told Kurdistan Chronicle.

“I feel an immense sense of gratitude and indescribable pride that my brush has granted me the honor of representing my people, documenting our history, and carrying the name of my homeland in every color I apply. This conviction is what inspired me, throughout the past ten years, to dedicate my paintings as a bridge of giving and support for charitable initiatives aiding our people in Western Kurdistan (Rojava).

“Seeing 'Roj' reach Washington D.C. and be auctioned there is the culmination of ten years of love and giving; my hope was for the sun of our culture and heritage to shine in the heart of the world, transforming artistic beauty into a healing balm and tangible support for those in need,” she added.

She also thanked the Barzani Charity Foundation and Kurdistan Chronicle “for serving as the distinguished cultural platform that made this initiative possible. I also owe a special debt of gratitude and affection to the gracious Ms. Eva, a woman of noble heart and inspiring humanitarian projects, who honored me by meeting with me and personally taking the painting in her hands to deliver our message to the United States.”

The NMDC was opened in January 2024 and is focused on continuing education aimed at improving the access, safety, and quality of healthcare for everyone in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.