On October 1st, marking the International Day of Older Persons, volunteer teams from the Public Aid Organization (PAO) launched a new humanitarian initiative that embodies the core values driving their work: rights, solidarity, and social cohesion.
The initiative mobilized volunteer teams across several Iraqi provinces to collect data, document vulnerable cases, and provide follow-up assistance to older persons throughout the month, reflecting PAO’s continued commitment to protecting human dignity and strengthening community support systems.
In Kirkuk, 12 volunteers delivered a range of services, including the provision of essential supplies, comprehensive medical check-ups, and even the renovation of a residential building at the volunteers’ own expense, a moving example of community solidarity in action.
In Salah al-Din and Dhi Qar, young volunteers coordinated with donors to cover the cost of a surgery for an elderly man, while in Dhi Qar, they ensured that another senior citizen gained access to government social care services through dedicated community coordination.
In Wasit, two forms of social support were provided, one offering long-term humanitarian assistance to an elderly individual, and the other focusing on helping an older person regain self-reliance through urgent aid and ongoing community engagement.
Meanwhile, in Diyala and Sulaymaniyah, coordinated efforts between volunteers and local authorities successfully facilitated surgical procedures for several older individuals, transforming volunteers into bridges of compassion who helped restore hope and healing.
In Mosul, the initiative concluded with the successful delivery of humanitarian assistance to a senior citizen, covering part of his essential daily needs and reaffirming the volunteers’ unwavering commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of society.
These initiatives reflect PAO’s humanitarian and rights-based vision to revive the values of solidarity, compassion, and respect for the rights of older persons, while emphasizing that caring for the elderly is a collective moral and national responsibility. Through its volunteer and human rights programs, PAO continues to work toward a more just, inclusive, and humane society.
