On September 26, 2023, a devastating fire engulfed a wedding hall in Bakhdeda, Hamdaniya, Iraq, turning a joyful occasion into a tragic event. The flames claimed 133 lives and left deep scars on countless families. Among the victims were 41 children aged 0-12, 49 men and women were widowed, and 9 children were orphaned after losing both parents. The severity of the burns was so extreme that DNA testing was required to identify 32 individuals, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.
In response to this heartbreaking disaster, Nineveh Rising immediately mobilized to provide critical assistance. The fire occurred during the first group trip by Nineveh Travel. The travelers quickly shifted from tourists to humanitarian workers. On the night of the fire, the group was in Ankawa, struggling to comprehend the unfolding tragedy.
"The first priority was to address urgent medical needs," said Ranna Salem, President of Nineveh Rising. "On the night of the fire, burn medications were desperately needed. We split up and went to several pharmacies to obtain what we could. While there, we met many locals also buying medication to help. By the end of the night, all the pharmacies were wiped clean of burn medications.”
"We also started a virtual fundraiser that night,” Salem continued. “We were advised not to enter Bakhdeda due to the hazardous traffic conditions, which had become congested and counterproductive as patients were being rushed to major hospitals. A volunteer came by to collect the medications we had gathered.”
The next day, the group visited a hospital in Erbil to obtain a list of needed medications. Families of injured loved ones had been waiting outside since the night before, and media companies were also present. After securing the necessary medications, the group returned to the hospital to drop them off and then headed to Bakhdeda.
In Bakhdeda, they visited the site of the fire, where people were still searching through the rubble for missing loved ones. They then went to the local hospital to assess any additional needs. Finally, the group attended the first of many funerals resulting from this tragedy. That day, 47 people were buried in what was likely the largest funeral most had ever seen. The entrance to the cemetery was packed with mourners from both within and outside the town. Religious leaders and politicians were in attendance, and families held up photos of lost loved ones. Caskets were carried in one by one until all 47 were laid to rest, surrounded by grieving relatives.
Upon returning to the United States, Nineveh Rising continued to monitor relief efforts and was notified of additional hospital needs. In collaboration with One World Medical Mission and World Medical Relief, more medical supplies and medications were sent to those in need.
The fundraiser successfully raised $56,681, including donations from the travelers. After fulfilling three rounds of medication provisions, the remaining funds were donated to Bakhdeda to support the construction of a much-needed mental health facility.
"When a tragedy strikes our community, we drop everything and give the situation our full attention," emphasized Salem. "That’s what it means to provide emergency response as a charity.”
Below is the link for the Gofundme.
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