Stronger together
In Syria, there are currently 5.6 million refugees, 6.6 million internally displaced people, and 13.1 million people in need.
Every minute, 20 people around the world leave everything behind to escape war, persecution and terror.
This World Refugee Day, meet Mohammed, Maysa and Hoshang – the people behind these numbers. They all had to escape the conflict in Syria, finding shelter in a camp in Iraq.
Despite everything, they managed to regain a sense of normality by doing the things they’ve been doing before the war started.
Share the message today and show that you stand with refugees in Syria and all around the world.
Meet Maysa
After being forced out of their home, Maysa and her family settled in a refugee camp in Iraq.
But her husband suddenly became ill and he could no longer provide for the family. Maysa decided to open a shoe shop to earn some money and make a living in the camp.
The money goes towards preparing her family for winter and making their shelter warmer. Winters in Iraq can be incredibly tough, with temperatures dipping well below freezing in the night.
I am proud that I can support my family; even if by support I mean survive.
MEET MOHAMMED
This is Mohammed from Syria. Before the conflict took away his livelihood, he owned a successful barbershop.
But when the ongoing conflict forced him out of his home, he fled to Iraq with his family and settled in a refugee camp.
There, he opened a barbershop and spent some of his savings on renovating it. Working is important for Mohammed. Continuing to cut hair gives him a purpose and helps him regain a sense of normailty.
I work because I don’t want to just sit in my tent and do nothing. This is who I am. This is what I do.
Meet the people behind the numbers.
Meet Hoshang
Hoshang was also forced to flee his home in Syria in search of a safer place, eventually settling at a camp in Iraq.
People don’t become refugees because they have a choice, but because they have to.
He trained to be a tailor at a very young age and has since been a professional tailor for over 15 years.
Although life’s not easy at the refugee camp, Hoshang is trying to support his family by practising the skills that have been part of him long before the conflict had started.
Meet Ahmed
Ahmed used to live in Syria. Right before the conflict took away his livelihood and forcing him to flee, he was farming his land.
Since he moved in the camp with his family, he’s been fixing washing machines and AC units for families in the camp. He usually gets items or skills in exchange for his work.
He studied to become an electrical technician, but he didn’t have enough money in Syria to start his own business.
There’s barely any work for him in the refugee camp, but doing what he’s doing helps Ahmed feel like part of a community again.
I would like to go back to Syria when it’s peaceful because it’s home.
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