Local group rallies support for health emergency in Hit

ANBAR — The volunteer group “Ana Insan,” based in Anbar’s Hit, has raised 50 million dinars ($35,360) in two days through a fundraising campaign local athlete Ahmed Khalil, a local athlete in need of medical treatment. The amount was collected through livestreams on social media platforms.

Marwan Hakim, founder of the group, told 964media that the team has organized around 150 fundraising campaigns for patients with kidney failure and bone marrow diseases since it was established on Feb. 22, 2022. The group has expanded its activities to several areas beyond Anbar and currently includes 600 volunteers from various governorates, ethnicities, and sects.

They don’t stop at covering surgery costs, but also provide post-operative treatments. They also have another project for building homes for underprivileged families and orphans, using the skills of volunteer builders and technicians within the team.

The group maintains a pharmacy funded by members who each contribute 10,000 dinars ($7) monthly. This effort supports the purchase of medication for patients.

Current efforts include three active campaigns, with two based in Kirkuk and Al-Azim targeting patients with kidney failure. Hakim noted the group typically supports two to four patients monthly, with six campaigns conducted last month.

Jassem Salahuddin, captain of the Al-Nujoom sports team, said teams from across Hit gathered to support Khalil’s campaign. “We joined the campaign for our fellow athlete and friend Ahmed Khalil. All Hit’s teams came together,” he said. “I hope the same support is extended to all campaigns, not just for athletes.”