IRAQ: "Fake" aid agencies discredit NGO sector

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/aa7f43368c49a337aadfb4fd06a5db6e.htm

BAGHDAD, 23 December (IRIN) - At Mercy Humanity Organisation, at least 10 sheikhs and other community leaders are packed into a small office brainstorming where they can get more money for the 300 orphans their organisation helps.

Even though the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is responsible for orphans, these particular children are now taken care of by his aid group, Sheikh Hussein Taha Saleh Almula told IRIN. He said his group has given the children food and shelter for several months.

"Now we have a huge number of handicapped children who need help. We will cooperate with anyone who can help us help these people," Almula said.

Mercy has 16 branches across the country and a long list of achievements printed up on a fact sheet. It is supported by a group in South Korea and by some Muslim groups, including Muslim Aid from Sudan, Almula said.

But the sheikh is also head of Almula Company for General Trade and Construction. He readily agrees that his business card shows him as a jack-of-all-trades, but points out that he is bound by Islam to give a certain percent of his work to charity.

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