KRG initiatives boost support for autism awareness and care
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Since 2007, the United Nations has unanimously declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to encourage acceptance and inclusion of autistic individuals in society. In the Kurdistan Region, the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government has implemented several initiatives to support autism patients and their families.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) opened dozens of centers for children with autism on April 2, 2022, under the directive of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, considering the financial challenges faced by families with autistic children, providing testing and treatment services.
On June 28, 2020, a UAE-funded autism center was inaugurated in Erbil, offering health, social, and rehabilitation services to autistic patients and their families.
On December 31, 2022, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani allocated over 114 million dinars for children with autism in the Raperin area.
On August 1, 2022, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs inaugurated an autism center in Koya, marking the first of its kind during the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
On September 15, 2022, the Autism and Disability Center building was inaugurated in Halabja in the presence of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
According to statistics from the Kurdistan Autism Association, there are 4260 children with autism in the Kurdistan Region. However, only 1613 children are registered members of the association. The distribution across provinces and autonomous administrations is as follows:
- Erbil Province: 1350 children (80% boys, 20% girls, 540 registered)
- Sulaimani and Halabja provinces: 950 children (75% boys, 25% girls, 380 registered)
- Duhok Province: 850 children (78% boys, 22% girls, 315 registered)
- Independent Administration of Zakho: 260 children (80% boys, 20% girls, 198 registered)
- Independent Administration of Garmian: 850 children (81% boys, 19% girls, 180 registered)
Additionally, the United Nations will organize various online activities worldwide on World Autism Awareness Day, aiming to showcase the lives and experiences of people with autism.