Awards presented by Rt Hon Jack Straw MP

On 10th February 2009 in the Palace of Westminster, the AMAR International Charitable Foundation’s inaugural awards ceremony honoured the telecommunications company Zain for its outstandingly generous support of AMAR’s public health and education programmes in Iraq.

The awards were presented by the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, and Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP, Executive Chairman of AMAR, to Mr Mohammed Charchafchi, Chairman of Zain and Mrs Mariam Ali, Director, Commercial Group, Zain.

The event celebrated five years of AMAR’s work in Iraq. AMAR’s dedicated workforce currently delivers health and education to more than 500,000 people across Iraq through health care delivery at Primary Health Care Centres, health education in schools and the community, professional training, and monthly visits to over 350,000 people at home carried out by a network of more than 1,500 Women Health Volunteers.

Speaking at the event, Baroness Nicholson said: “I applaud Zain for their magnificent support for the AMAR International Charitable Foundation and for their full-hearted commitment to corporate social responsibility.

“Their consistent generosity has made a tremendous difference to vulnerable communities in Iraq, enabling over half a million people to receive vital health care and education and saving many lives. I hope their wonderful support is an inspiration to other businesses in Iraq and worldwide.”

Receiving the award, Mr Mohammed Charchafchi, Chairman of Zain said: “It is a pleasure to support AMAR’s essential work in Iraq. We firmly believe that businesses should focus as much on social responsibility as on pure business performance.”

Mrs Mariam Ali, Director, Commercial Group, Zain said: “I am delighted to help AMAR to strengthen communities and provide fundamental health and education services to people in greatest need in Iraq. I am honoured to receive this award on behalf of Zain in Iraq.”

Rt Hon Jack Straw MP said: “The work of organisations such as AMAR demonstrates the importance of building civil society, and of helping a new democratic Iraq take control of its future by developing skills and public institutions.

“AMAR concentrates on public health and education – absolutely fundamental to the well-being of families and communities - and I congratulate AMAR for their work and close partnership with the Government and people of Iraq”.