Child Abandonment Rises in Iraq’s Diwaniyah Province

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Health officials and human rights advocates have raised serious concerns as child abandonment incidents surge across Iraq's Diwaniyah Province, with two infants discovered abandoned at separate locations within a single day, highlighting what experts describe as a worrying manifestation of the region's economic hardships.

The disturbing pattern involves infants being left near hospitals, mosques, and even waste disposal sites, according to local authorities who are struggling to address the growing humanitarian concern.

Aqil Kamil, Director of the Women and Children's Hospital in Diwaniyah, confirmed to Kurdistan24 that one of the abandoned children was discovered on a city street with no identification.

"We have established a specialized committee to investigate this case," said Kamil. "Our medical team is continuously monitoring the infant's health condition, and fortunately, we have not detected any life-threatening conditions thus far. The child has been placed in an appropriate care facility under proper supervision."

While authorities work to identify the abandoned children's families, human rights activists point to systemic socioeconomic factors driving this troubling phenomenon.

Manar Zubeidi, a prominent human rights advocate in the region, told Kurdistan24 that the issue stems from complex societal challenges.

"The abandonment of children in front of hospitals, mosques, and even waste disposal areas reflects multifaceted and complicated underlying causes," Zubeidi explained. "Poverty and unemployment stand as the primary drivers of this crisis, but they are not the only factors."

Zubeidi highlighted concerning demographic statistics that potentially contribute to the problem. "According to official records, Iraq documented 6,400 divorce cases in January 2025 alone. This figure represents an alarming trend that correlates with increasing cases of child abandonment," she noted.

The scale of the problem became even more apparent during Kurdistan24's investigation, when our correspondent reported that a second abandoned infant was discovered in another part of Diwaniyah while this report was being prepared.

Social welfare organizations in Diwaniyah have called for urgent government intervention, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems for vulnerable families and improved economic opportunities.

The Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has yet to announce specific measures to address the situation, though sources within the ministry indicated that officials are working on developing enhanced social safety nets targeted at families in extreme economic distress.

Child welfare experts note that abandoned infants face significant challenges beyond their immediate health concerns, including legal complications regarding citizenship status and future adoption processes.

Local religious leaders have also joined the conversation, urging community members to support struggling families and provide resources through established charitable organizations rather than abandoning children.