Sema
Dr. Ilhan Kizilhan, a prominent figure in the field of psychological therapy, was awarded the prestigious Federal Cross of Merit by the German Foreign Ministry, recognizing his exceptional work in providing psychological care to Yazidi girls and women who survived the atrocities of ISIS. The award was presented to him by Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Kizilhan shared, “Despite the ongoing wars and diseases around the world, in recent years, we’ve made significant progress in advancing peace and providing psychological treatment. This award serves as a motivation for me to continue my work and offer further support to humanity in this critical field.”
He also highlighted the tangible impact of his efforts, stating, “Over the past few years, we’ve helped bring 1,100 Yazidis to Germany and provided assistance to over 12,000 people in Kurdistan, particularly those whose mental health has been severely affected by the trauma they experienced.”
Born in Batman, a city in northern Kurdistan, Dr. Kizilhan moved to Germany with his family at the age of seven. He later pursued his education in the United States, where he further honed his expertise in psychology and trauma therapy.