ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – In a significant step to enhance support for children with autism, the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) announced on Thursday the reopening of a government-run autism center, signaling a major expansion of specialized services across the region.

The project, completed in coordination with the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, underscores a growing collaborative effort to address the needs of the autism community.

Speaking at a press conference, BCF President Musa Ahmad acknowledged the heavy responsibility borne by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs but affirmed his foundation’s unwavering readiness to assist.

“The Barzani Charity Foundation has stood ready from the very beginning to provide support,” Ahmad stated.

He highlighted the proven effectiveness of BCF’s existing centers, noting their success in reintegrating children into mainstream education. “As an example, 63 autistic children from our Emirates Autism Center in Erbil have successfully returned to mainstream schools—an achievement that fills us with pride,” he said.

Reaffirming this commitment, Ahmad stressed BCF’s offer to provide training, expertise, teachers, and equipment to all ministry-connected autism centers.

This development coincides with a broader push to expand autism services beyond major urban centers. According to official statistics, there are currently 14 autism centers in Erbil, 8 in Sulaimani, 7 in Duhok, and 4 in Garmian.

Last month, the Kurdistan Autism Association announced plans to establish two new specialized centers in the towns of Harir, in the Shaqlawa district, and Rizgari, in the Garmian administration.

Association President Kamal Jabari, who unveiled the initiative on August 12, said the centers aim to train children while also guiding their parents to better engage with them at home.

“These areas were chosen because of their urgent need for specialized services,” Jabari told Kurdistan24, expressing a long-term vision to establish a center in every city and town in the Kurdistan Region.

He also issued a crucial warning to authorities: “Buildings alone are not enough. It is crucial that they are staffed with specialized experts so they can provide a truly effective service.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has implemented parallel supportive measures, including extended maternity leave for public sector employees with autistic children.

In a key move, the KRG recently submitted a full registry of children with autism to the federal government in Baghdad, seeking to officially classify them as individuals with special needs. This classification is a prerequisite for granting them monthly assistance, though the process awaits completion by federal authorities.

With unofficial estimates indicating around 3,900 children in the region are diagnosed with autism, the urgency for expanded facilities and professional care is clear.

The reopening of the government center, backed by private partnership, represents a critical step in bridging service gaps. Through the combined efforts of government, NGOs, and experts, a more comprehensive framework for autism support is taking shape.

As BCF President Musa Ahmad underlined, “Our centers are a model of what can be achieved when determination and coordination come together. Every child with autism in Kurdistan deserves the opportunity to learn, to develop, and to live with dignity.”