Meet AIM Grant Recipient: No Borders Humanity Organization

Earlier this year, Global Health Council awarded its second round of Advocacy in Motion (AIM) Grants to five civil society organizations. These grants are intended to support advocacy, advance health equity, and amplify the voices of local and regional organizations. This month we are featuring one of our winners, No Borders Humanity Organization.

Based in Nasiriyah, No Borders Humanity Organization (NBH) is dedicated to making a positive impact on society through nonprofit, non-governmental, and non-political initiatives in the fields of relief and sustainable development. It teaches human rights, citizenship, and technologies that support conflict resolution, peacebuilding, democracy, and justice in Iraq. We recently spoke with Ammar M.S. Al-Ghurabi, Chairman of NBH’s Board of Directors, to learn more about the organization and its work.

Q: Can you tell us about your organization?

Since 2003, No Borders Humanity Organization has been focused on the holistic development of individuals and communities through education. NBH emphasizes its four key pillars of citizenship, human rights, welfare, and peace in the interest of contributing to the establishment of a democratic and socially just Iraqi civil society.

We engage in a range of support and advocacy, including:

• Collaborating with healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and government agencies to conduct community awareness and health education campaigns
• Disseminating information and engaging the public in health-related discussions
• Mobilizing grassroots movements and engaging with policymakers to advocate for improved healthcare infrastructure, access to vaccines, and emergency preparedness
• Monitoring and holding our local and regional governments accountable

Q: This year’s grant is focused on pandemic preparedness. What were some of the challenges your organization and your community encountered during past pandemics, such as COVID-19?

Similar to many other communities, we experienced challenges related to healthcare infrastructure, access to vaccines, and lack of general pandemic preparedness. To help support our community, NBH participated in raising awareness about preventing COVID-19 and following guidelines provided by the World Health Organization and Iraqi Ministry of Health. The organization also provided assistance to families and individuals affected by the pandemic.

Q: What do you think is missing from global pandemic preparedness planning efforts? What would you like to see changed at the global, national, and local levels?

At the local level, we’re focused on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and access to resources for underserved communities, and of course we’re also working to increase our ability to increase public awareness with more robust communication strategies for the next pandemic. Nationally and globally, we need more investment in resilient healthcare systems and funding for health emergencies. Global cooperation and coordination in response to future emergencies will also help save lives.

Q: What is the biggest challenge your organization faces today?

Moving forward, NBH hopes to further address regional challenges related to PPPR, specifically in vulnerable, low-resource communities. We hope to see increased regional investments in healthcare infrastructure and stronger partnerships that result in better pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities, ultimately enhancing the resilience of vulnerable populations. Our advocacy activities aim to bridge the gap between global commitments and regional action, ensuring that regional resources are aligned with PPPR needs.

Q: How will the AIM Grant help your organization overcome these challenges?

The AIM Grant will significantly benefit our organization by providing the necessary financial support to expand our advocacy efforts in PPPR. It will empower our organization to make a more substantial impact in addressing regional challenges through advocacy, capacity-building, outreach, communication, evaluation, and networking. In summary, this grant will contribute to the overall resilience and well-being of vulnerable communities in the face of pandemics and health emergencies.

Q: What is the most important message you want to give to global health decision-makers about pandemic preparedness?

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of proactive and collaborative efforts to mitigate the impact of infectious diseases on communities worldwide, and as a committed advocate for global health and humanitarian causes, NBH urges global health decision-makers to prioritize and invest significantly in comprehensive pandemic preparedness by investing in healthcare infrastructure, increasing access to vaccines, and committing to a collaborative global response.