Representatives from The Salvation Army's International Headquarters (IHQ) travelled to Erbil in Iraq to formalise the ongoing relationship between The Salvation Army and the Iraqi Salvation Humanitarian Organisation (ISHO).

Commissioner Robin Forsyth (International Secretary for Programme Resources, IHQ) and Mr Muntajab Ibraheem (Chairman, ISHO) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding, ensuring the continued close working relationship between the two organisations. An engraved crystal bowl was presented to Mr Muntajab to mark the occasion.

Between 2003 and 2006 The Salvation Army's International Emergency Services operated an extensive community recovery programme in Iraq. In delivery of this programme it used a combination of international staff and Iraqi employees who worked alongside each other to ensure the achievement of common goals. From May 2004 until March 2006 the programme was managed from Kuwait because of security concerns but implemented within Iraq by Iraqi personnel.

When The Salvation Army formally concluded its work in Iraq some of its Iraqi workers – building on the experience they had gained working with and for The Salvation Army – formed and subsequently managed ISHO as an independent humanitarian organisation.

Today ISHO is a flourishing non-governmental organisation with offices in Baghdad, Basra and Babylon. It supports a number of important projects, working in local Iraqi communities and with internally displaced people who are returning home, providing housing, health education and school equipment.

The Memorandum of Understanding envisages that The Salvation Army will continue to provide organisational and project support to ISHO and – where necessary – training and publicity. Similarly ISHO will assist The Salvation Army where it can within the region.

Representing The Salvation Army at the meetings were Commissioner Forsyth along with Major Raelton Gibbs and Major Drew Ruthven (both from International Emergency Services, IHQ). The ISHO representation included Mr Muntajab, Ms Shaima'a Karim Sadoun (ISHO Deputy) and members of the ISHO board.

Donations for the work of ISHO can be sent to: ISHO, c/o The Salvation Army International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4EH, United Kingdom. For more information, please email: IHQ-Emergency@salvationarmy.org