Unicef has appointed renowned Iraqi singer Kadhum Al-Sahir as its ambassador to Iraq.

Making his first visit to Iraq in 14 years for the occasion, Al-Sahir launched his new song “Together for Children”, calling on all segments of Iraqi society to come together to turn the ongoing hardships faced by Iraq’s children into opportunities for them.

“Unicef is very proud to welcome Kadhum Al-Sahir back to Iraq as its goodwill Ambassador for Iraq’s children,” said Sikander Khan, Unicef representative to Iraq.

“Khadum’s commitment to use his time, energy, and talents to shine a spotlight on the needs of Iraq’s children is extraordinary and will contribute to improving their lives. Unicef is extremely grateful for his devotion and compassion to the children of Iraq.”

Al-Sahir’s music over the past 25 years has led to his popularity within Iraq, across Mena and globally.

His humanitarian work started in 1998 when he performed a song about Iraqi children stranded in conflict at benefit concerts in the Royal Albert Hall in the UK as well as to members of the United Nations.

“It has been a long and difficult journey for Iraq’s children over the past few decades” said Al-Sahir.

“I am deeply touched and honored to return to Iraq today as Unicef’s Ambassador and will do everything possible to protect the rights and improve the well-being of Iraq’s children,” he added.

As Unicef’s Ambassador to Iraq, Al-Sahir will focus on raising awareness and mobilizing support to respond to the needs of the most deprived and vulnerable children across the country in order to build an equitable society where all 15 million of Iraq’s children have equal opportunities to realize their full potential.

“Hundreds of thousands of children across Iraq today are cruelly suffering from having very few to none of the services they need to grow up healthy and happy,” Al-Sahir said.

“Action must be urgently taken to deliver the necessary health care, nutrition, schooling, safe water, adequate sanitation and protection they need so they can be lifted up from the bottom of Iraqi society and become a driving force for Iraq’s future development and prosperity,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service