Today, 3 August 2025 marks 11 years since the terrible violence perpetrated against the Yazidi people. On that day in 2014, Daesh (also known as ISIS or Islamic State) attacked Sinjar, northern Iraq, and unleashed a series of atrocities against the community. Daesh killed thousands.  

Presently, Yazidi women and children continue to be enslaved, and there have been limited efforts to rescue them. As such, the genocide against the Yazidis is considered ongoing; the persecution and suffering continues. 

JRS has been close to the survivors of the Yazidi genocide since 2015. For ten years JRS Iraq served the mental health needs of Yazidi survivors, their families and friends and offered education and safe space to children impacted by the genocide. 

However, due to massive cuts in US international aid on 24 January 2025, programmes to support the vulnerable people in northern Iraq were forced to close. “This was a very painful decision, and most painful for the thousands of people who were welcomed by JRS in our centres. Humanitarian funding has real impacts and is necessary if we are to build community for a more peaceful, reconciled world,” commented  Fr Daniel Corrou SJ, JRS Middle East Director.  

Survivors have been fierce in their fight for justice and accountability. However, they should not be left in this pursuit alone. 

Surviving ISIS: Jacklyn’s story of courage and hope

 *“Dear Neighbour” is a short documentary series produced by JRS MENA in partnership with JRS USA to embrace our shared humanity and awaken solidarity as we all, as global society, are neighbours living on this planet.