Groups, Institutions, Organiza

Foundation for the Affairs of War-Displaced People

Written by: Sajjad Naderipour Translated by: Hadi Qorbanyar
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 In the early months of the Iran–Iraq War, the Foundation for the Affairs of War- Displaced People was established under the name “Foundation for War Victims” to help organize and support those displaced by the conflict.

Following Iraq’s full-scale invasion of Iran, more than 1.5 million people from the affected provinces fled to neighboring cities and Tehran. Many had left behind all their belongings and arrived empty-handed, unfamiliar with the culture of their new host cities and facing serious challenges. On January 28, 1981, Prime Minister Muhammad-Ali Rajai appointed Seyyed Mostafa Mir-Salim, Deputy Minister of Political and Social Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, to oversee the situation.[1] He began by building camps with a capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 people and distributing ration coupons for essential goods.[2] Later, Mir-Salim submitted a proposal to the cabinet to formally establish the “Foundation for War Victims”. It was approved on April 4, 1981, and the bill was sent to the Islamic Consultative Assembly. On June 4, 1981, the foundation officially began its work under the newly passed law.[3]

According to the law, the foundation operated under the supervision of the Supreme Council for War Victims. The council included a representative of the Minister of Interior, three displaced individuals nominated by representatives from Khuzestan and western provinces, and representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Welfare Organization, the Red Crescent, the Imam Khomeini (ra) Relief Committee, the Jahad-e Sazandegi Organization, and the Martyrs Foundation — all with full authority from their respective agencies.[4]

The foundation sought to address both the material and emotional needs of war-affected regions and displaced populations. It aimed to resolve economic, health, social, cultural, and political challenges, create jobs for displaced individuals in their new locations, and prepare long-term solutions for post-war recovery in affected areas.[5]

On November 24, 1981, in a meeting with officials of the Foundation for War Victims, Imam Khomeini (ra) emphasized the importance of the foundation’s mission and the need to address its shortcomings. He attributed its successes to divine grace and noted that certain shortcomings in serving the displaced still needed to be resolved.[6]

The foundation continued its work until mid-1982. However, as the war dragged on and the scope of displacement expanded, its activities underwent major changes. Therefore, with a revised charter, the organization was renamed the “Foundation for the Affairs of the War-Displaced People”.[7]

Under the new charter, the foundation was placed under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and its activities were reorganized into six key areas: welfare programs, housing and resettlement, education and training, cultural initiatives to preserve and promote Islamic values, healthcare, and employment and job placement.[8]

The foundation remained active until the end of the war, continually adapting to the changing needs of displaced populations. It also established subcommittees, such as the “Employment Council for War-Displaced People”, to address specific challenges.[9]

After the war, the Foundation for the Affairs of War-Displaced People was merged into the “Reconstruction and Renewal Headquarters for War-Affected Areas”.[10] Accordingly, it focused on providing essential services to residents of war-torn cities, facilitating the return of displaced families to their home cities,[11] and offering financial support for employment[12] and relocation back to original hometowns.[13]

Based on the foundation reports, most of the funding was allocated to food rations, housing assistance, and utility support for displaced families. Khuzestan Province received the highest amount of direct aid, followed by Bakhtaran (Kermanshah) and Fars.[14]

In 1997, the Reconstruction and Renewal Headquarters for War-Affected Areas was renamed the “Office for Reconstructed War-Affected Areas”,[15] and today it operates under the Deputy for Management Development and Resources at the Ministry of Interior.[16]

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Rozname-ye Ettelaat, Sh 16346, Chaharshanbeh 8 Bahman 1359, p. 4; Farhangname-ye Nahadha-ye Enqelab-e Eslami (Encyclopedia of Islamic Revolution Institutions), Tehran, Markaz-e Asnad-e Enqelab-e Eslami, 1387, Pp. 27 and 22.

[2] Rozname-ye Ettelaat (Ettelaat Newspaper), No. 16363, Chaharshanbeh, 29 Bahman 1359, p. 11.

[3] Qanun-e Bonyad-e Omur-e Jang-zadegan, (Law on the Foundation for War Victims), Mosavvab 14 Khordad 1360.

[4] Farhangname-ye Nahadha-ye Enqelab-e Eslami (Encyclopedia of Islamic Revolution Institutions), p. 22.

[5] Madde-ye 3 Qanun-e Bonyad-e Omur-e Jang-zadegan (Article 3 of the Law on the Foundation for War Victims), Mosavvab 14 Khordad 1360.

[6] Sahife-ye Imam, Vol. 15 (An Anthology of Imam Khomeini’s Speeches, Messages, Interviews, Decrees, Religious Permissions, and Letters), Vol. 15, Tehran, Moassese-ye Tanzim va Nashr-e Aasar-e Imam Khomeini (ra), 1378, Pp. 382 and 383.

[7] Farhangname-ye Nahadha-ye Enqelab-e Eslami (Encyclopedia of Islamic Revolution Institutions), p. 23.

[8] Ibid.

 

[9] Aeenname-ye Tashkil-e Shoraye Eshteghal-e Mohajerin-e Jang-e Tahmili, Mosavvab 4 Bahman 1366 (Regulation on Establishing the Employment Council for War-Displaced People).

[10] Aeenname-ye Ejraei Tashilat-e Etebari Eshteghal-e Mohajerin-e Jang-e Tahmili Mozu-e Bande 5 Tabserei-e 3 Qanun-e Budje-ye Sal 1368 Kol-e Keshvar, (Executive Regulation on Credit Facilities for Employment of War-Displaced People), Mosavvab 14 Mordad 1368.

[11] Farhangname-ye Nahadha-ye Enqelab-e Eslami (Encyclopedia of Islamic Revolution Institutions), p. 23.

[12] Aeenname-ye Movazaf-Nemudan-e Kol-e Vezaratkhane-ha, Nahadha, Sazmanha va Sherkat-haye Dolati va Vabaste be Dolat Nesbat be Bazsazi-ye Tasisat va Vahedha-ye Marbute va Tamin-e Khadamate Mord-e Niaz-e Ahali-ye Shahrha-ye Abadan va Khorramshahr va Zamine-sazi Baraye Bargasht-e Mohajerin-e Jang-e Tahmili (Instruction for the Compulsory Engagement of All Ministries, Institutions, Organizations, and State-Owned or State-Affiliated Companies to Reconstruct Relevant Facilities and Units, Provide Essential Services to the Residents of Abadan and Khorramshahr, and Lay the Groundwork for the Return of the War-Displaced People), Mosavvab 2 Khordad 1368.

[13] Mosavvabei-e Tamin-e Etebar va Ekhtesas Meblagh 300,000 Rial Baraye Enteqal-e Mohajerin-e Jang-e Tahmili be Shahrha-ye Mahale Sokunat-e Qabli-ye Khod be Bonyad-e Mohajerin-e Jang-e Tahmili (Tasmim Namayande-ye Vizhe-ye Rais Jomhur) (Approval for Allocating 300,000 Rials to Transfer War-Displaced People to their Home Cities) (Decision of the President’s Special Representative).

 

[14] Amalkard-e Bonyad-e Omur-e Mohajerin-e Jang-e Tahmili-ye Kol-e Keshvar (Gozaresh-e Dolati) (Performance Report of the Foundation for the Affairs of War-Displaced People), Tehran, Bonyad-e Omur-e Mohajerin, 1369, Pp. 63, 35–61.

[15] Farhangname-ye Nahadha-ye Enqelab-e Eslami (Encyclopedia of Islamic Revolution Institutions), p. 24.

[16] Ba Hokm-e Nasirian, Moaven-e Tosee Modiriyat va Manabe Vezarat-e Keshvar, Ali-Reza Sari Masool-e Peygiri-ye Omur-e Mantaqe-ye Bazsazi-shode-ye Jang-e Tahmili Shod, (By Order of Nasirian, Deputy of Management and Resources of Ministry of Interior, Ali-Reza Sari Was Appointed to Oversee Affairs in the Reconstructed Regions Affected by the Imposed War), Portal-e Vezarat-e Keshvar Akhbar/113125, https://moi.ir/fa