Erbil, Kurdistan Region – In a press conference, Musa Ahmed, Head of the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF), announced a substantial investment of over 1 billion dinars dedicated to community projects, with a primary focus on the education sector. "We are honored to always serve the education sector. It is one of the major targets for BCF," stated Ahmed.

Ahmed emphasized the directive from Masrour Barzani, Head of the BCF board, urging the foundation's team to prioritize significant community causes, especially education. This includes support for pupils in general and martyrs’ children in particular.

"We have forged strong connections with international donors, organizations, charities within the Kurdistan Region, and prominent individuals to support education-related matters," Ahmed said. He highlighted that during the 9th Cabinet of the Kurdistan Region’s Government, BCF undertook both major and minor projects with an estimated budget of 8 billion dinars.

Among the initiatives, BCF allocated 20 million dinars for solar panel systems in 10 schools, providing a total of over 14,000 watts of electricity. Additionally, a budget of 18 million and 480 thousand dinars has been earmarked for the renovation and reconstruction of each school, totaling 1 billion 211 million and 280 thousand dinars for these projects.

The foundation, in collaboration with its partners, has reconstructed and built numerous schools, provided necessary supplies for pupils, and supported internally displaced persons, asylum seekers, and refugees.

Alan Hama Saeed, Minister of Education in the Kurdistan Region’s Government, lauded BCF's contributions, stating, "BCF was a great support to the education sector. It donated more than 8 billion dinars to help build, reconstruct, and adapt schools."

Saeed further noted BCF's critical role during the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis, being the first organization to cooperate with the Ministry of Education to ensure the continuity of the study process.

"Last year, BCF dedicated more than 2 million dollars to schools outside the KRG’s administration and addressed the issue of schools operating three shifts per day," Saeed added. "With BCF's aid, we reduced the number of schools operating three shifts per day from 139 to 11, and the renovation covered 50 schools."

The Barzani Charity Foundation remains committed to enhancing the educational infrastructure and supporting the broader community through its extensive projects and partnerships.