10 real life stories on resilience inside syria - early...

10 Real Life Stories On Resilience inside Syria

10Real Life Stories

Of Resilience Inside Syria


Abd Al-Hadi or “the hero” as he likes to be called, a 14 year old student in elementary school. During the crisis, he fled with his family several times within Aleppo Governorate seeking a safe haven, but unfortunately, their house was hit by a mortar and he was severely injured. He suffered from partial damage in the right lobe of his brain, resulting in partial paralysis in his lower limbs and the inability to move the fingers of his left hand.

As part of the UNDP integrated support to people with disabilities, Abd Al-Hadi has been following rehabilitation sessions for the last four months. Since then he gradually regained the ability to walk and use his wheelchair less and less. “It’s a miracle!” said his father, adding, “I thank God that I was able to see

my son walking again. Although he cannot walk for a long time and he still needs his wheelchair, he is getting better every day. I am very optimistic, and I hope that he will be able to abandon the wheelchairvery soon.”

Abd Al-Hadi also received psychological support to help him internalize the trauma and regain trust in himself.

“I am Abd Al-Hadi, the hero, and I will walk again” he said with a bigsmile.

Another 280 people with disabilities have benefited from the rehabilitation session in AleppoGovernorate .

Abd Al-Hadi (Aleppo): A small boy with big determination

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Abd Al-Hadi, Aleppo © UNDPOctober 2015


Situated in the south of Syria, Dar›a Governorate is bordered by As-Sweida to the east, Quneitra to the west, Rural Damascus to the north, and Jordan to the South. The Governorate has experienced heavy fighting over the last three years. Consequently, a large proportion of the population has been driven away, leaving their homes and seeking refuge within Syria or in neighboring countries. In April 2014, around 266 thousand people were displaced within Dar’a, equivalent to about one-third of thepre-crisis population¹ .

The residents in Dar’a suffer from the lack of medical care, due to the destruction of medical infrastructure, brain-drain of doctors and health practitioners, and shortage in medication, medical equipment and spare parts. The rehabilitation of hospitals and health centers was flagged as priority by affected communities. In 2014, UNDP rehabilitated in partnership with local NGOs a polyclinic that includes child and thalassemia clinic, kidney dialysis center, dental care center, diabetes clinic, radiology department, laboratory, nursing school and other specialized clinics.

Samer, is a 38 year-old man who was forced, like many others, to leave his home in the Refugee

Camp area in Dar’a due to ongoing hostilities, and take refuge in a a safer neighborhood. “I used to work as chief electrician,” Samer said, adding “After displacement I was jobless. I relied on all sorts of humanitarian aid but that was not enough to secure a stable life for my family. I searched desperately for a decent job but I couldn’t findanything.”

In early February 2015, Samer joined the UNDP-supported polyclinic rehabilitation project in Dar’a. He was delighted to join the team and contribute to the rehabilitation of the much needed polyclinic. The wage he receives has significantly improved his living conditions and helped him to provide for the needs of his family.

“The first thing I did when I received my first wage was to buy a roasted chicken for my children. I can’t describe how happy I was to see my children eating this meal after such a long time.” Said Samer withenthusiasm.

The polyclinic rehabilitation project provided employment opportunities to 77 people. The polyclinic will also secure medical services to approximately 117,000 residents including ambulatory cases, pregnant women, post-operativecare and mental illnesses.

Samer (Dar’a): Rehabilitating a polyclinic for a living

¹ OCHA , Governorates profile report, 2014

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Samer, Dar’a © UNDP

April 2015


“When my Husband was alive, I did not need anything” said Rehab; a 37 year old mother who lost her husband and one of her three young sons during the crisis. She added while wiping her tears “After his death, we were devastated by hunger and sorrow. We losteverything!”

Rehab is one of many residents in Deir-Ez-Zor who suffered from ongoing violence and hostilities in the governorate. Her small house in Al-Hamedyia area has collapsed due to direct hits by mortars. The rubble fell on her mother and broke her spine causing permanent paralysis in her lower limbs.

Rehab fled with her mother, sister and two young sons to Tab-Aljora; a relatively safer area in Deir-Ez-Zor, where she started to clean houses and wash carpets to provide for the basic needs of her family. The income was too little for the needsand her family was starving.

Deir-Ez-Zor is considered one of the most affected governorates during the crisis. An estimated 57% of its population is in dire need for humanitarian aids. The number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) is around 441,000(¹).

To respond to the difficult conditions in Deir-Ez-Zor, UNDP implemented a cash-for-work scheme for solid waste removal to provide emergency employment opportunities for IDPs and their host community and help reducing health hazards associated

with environmental pollution and the spread of diseases as a result of accumulated waste piles on thestreets.

Rehab joined the project three months ago when we met her. She is working eight hours per day and receiving a wage that allows her to provide for her family’s basic needs such as food and clothes.

“At first I was hesitant, but after seeing other women working, I was encouraged. I found out that I’m not the only one suffering,” Said Rehab, adding “sometimes seeing the misfortunes of others can easeyour own woes”.

The solid waste removal initiative in Deir-Ez-Zor does not only contribute to enhancing the livelihoods of affected people but it also took a further innovative dimension, where women volunteered and organized an all-women team comprising women-workers from all walks of life (i.e. college students, women heading households, IDPs, affected host community, etc.).

The volunteers contributed to cleaning schools and shelters in their target areas. The project has caused a cultural shift in theconservative community of Deir- Ez-Zor. The women volunteers contributed also to raising awareness among IDPs and host community on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene to limit the spread of diseases and create a better living environment.

Rehab (Deir-Ez-Zor): A glimpse of light

¹ OCHA , Syrian governorate profile, June 2014

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Rehab, Deir-Ez-Zor © UNDP

March 2015


“It is not something you wish to remember, but also not a thing that you can easily forget. My whole life has changed. We stopped counting our losses a while ago”, Said Soumia while trying to recall her ordeal during the crisis. “We used to live in a small house in Al-Hamedia area in Homs, everything was going well. My husband was a merchant, and we had three beautiful children,” adding, “Even with the poor security conditions in our neighborhood, we stayed as long as possible in our home. We had nowhere else to go. We remained until the day when our house collapsed under mortar shells and my kid was injured. Few weeks later, my husband and my second kid were kidnapped. I had to sell everything I have to find them and get them back,” Said Soumia with tears in her eyes, “Three months later, my husband returned home suffering from physical and psychological troubles and sporadic bouts of epilepsy; that’s when we decided to flee to Hama Governorate looking for a safer place to rebuild our life.”

Soumia described her situation when she settled with her family in a rented house in Hama, saying, “ My main concern was to find a proper job with a good wage that can help me provide for the basic needs of my family and cover my son’s college fees. I heard about the food production and processing workshop that was established by UNDP in Hama and I applied immediately for an opportunity there.” She added, “I’ve been working in the workshop for about a year now. I met many women who share similar concerns and problems. I learned new skills in the field of food preservation and processing and I am earning a good income to offer my family a decentlife”.

Another 124 women have joined the food production and processing workshop in Hama. The workshop has for a good reputation and its traditional products have become popular. It succeeded to expand its production to reach eight neighborhoods within HamaGovernorate.

Soumia (Hama): A story of survival

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Soumia, Hama ©UNDP

May 2015


“I sweep the floor to help my family” said Ramez, a 24 year old young man who suffers from Down syndrome. He left his house in Bab Al-Sbaa’ neighborhood in Homsand moved to a shelter in Abdul- Muhaimen Abbas School.

His family was among hundreds of other similar families who suffered from hostilities in Homs Governorate which resulted in massive damage to buildings and infrastructure, and significant reduction in the delivery of basic and social services. Tons of solid waste piles accumulated in the streets causing environmental pollution and spreading epidemics and diseases. This has increased health risks for displaced familiesliving in poor conditions.

As a response, UNDP implemented

a cash-for-work scheme for collecting solid waste, providing job opportunities for IDPs and their host community, including women andpeople with disabilities.

Ramez joined the project from its onset, working eight hours a day with his colleagues in cleaning streets and neighborhoods and collecting piles of garbage.

“I have six brothers and three sisters”, he said with a smile on his face. “My father is an old man, I love him so much. I am happy to workand support my family.”

Through working in this project, Ramez became more sociable. He was liked by the people living in his community. “He’s funny and verysensitive” said his proud father.

Ramez (Homs): When there is a will, there is a way

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Ramez, Homs © UNDPJanuary 2015


Mortada is 38 years old; he is the sole breadwinner for a family of four. During the crisis, he was forced to leave his house in Al-Bayada seeking a refuge in safer areas . He finally settled with his family in Homs Governorate. “At first I was working as daily labour. I had to earn a wage to feed my family and pay the rent of my house,” said Mortada, adding, “My wife is also suffering from partial paralysis in her hand. Thus, she can’t work and needs medications that I can’t afford.”

Mortada participated in the UNDP project for the rehabilitation and

repair of damaged water networks in the old city of Homs. The project aims to accelerate the return to these neighborhoods. “During the last two months, I acquired new skills” said Mortada, adding proudly, “I feel more secure earning a monthly wage. I don’t need to seek aid anymore; I can provide for the basic needs of my family and buy my wife’s medication.” The water rehabilitation project in Homs has succeeded in repairing a total of 250 Km of water networks, and provided hundreds of employment opportunities for IDPs and affected host communities.

Mortada (Homs): new skills and a new career

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Moertada, Homs © UNDP

May 2015


Since the onset of the crisis in Syria, Tartous has been one of the most stable governorates and is thus, a natural safe haven for internally displaced persons (IDPs ) escaping from conflict areas. It is home now to approximately 452,000 IDPs¹ (over half of its original population);they hail mostly from Aleppo, Ar- Raqqa, Deir-Ez-Zor, Hama, Homs and Idleb. Most of them live in hostcommunities.

The heavy displacement toTartous Governorate has over- burdened basic infrastructure and social services, and exacerbated competition over scarce resources, housing and income generation opportunities. Given this context, UNDP has been implementing a number of initiatives focusing on vocational training, jobs and income generation for IDPs and their host communities in view of enhancing their living conditions and maintaining the thin balance and stability in communities. One of these projects is mushroom cultivation in cellars. Mushroom is a nutritious (rich in vitamins and minerals) and fast yielding crop that does not require access to land. Moreover, it has demand in the local market.

Khawla is one of the beneficiaries who joined the project from its onset. She was displaced with her family from Aleppo. Their neighborhood came suddenly under siege and they suffered malnutrition and poor

health conditions as they were unable to meet their basic daily needs of food and water. A year ago, conditions deteriorated and became unbearable so they fled toTartous.

“One of my brothers is missing, and the second one has fled out of thecountry,” said Khawla. The 21 year- old single woman found herself the sole breadwinner of her family in spite of her young age. She lives in a small apartment with 12 siblings. “The rent is very expensive and we no longer could afford it. I spent a long time searching for a decent work which was difficult as I had no previous experience,” said Khalwa, adding “I have never imagined even in my worst nightmares that I’ll see my family in need for basic things such as food. I badly needed to finda job to save my loved ones”.

“Thanks to my job growing mushroom, I can buy food and clothes for my younger brothers and pay the rent of our apartment,” she said proudly, adding “I also learnt new skills. I feel I’m useful and have more confidence in myself”.

The mushroom cultivating project in Tartous helped creating 50 jobs for IDPs and their host community and yielded 1,690 kg of mushrooms, sold in the local market at reasonable prices.

Khawla (Tartous): Growing mushrooms in cellars for a living

¹ OCHA , Syrian governorate profile, Page 33.

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The Governorate of Tartous has been stable throughout the crisis. However, it continues to receive a huge inflow of families fleeing other parts of the country, mostly Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Deir-Ez-zor, Hama, Homs, and Idleb, with women and children accounting for the largestpercentage.

It is estimated that the governorate received 452,000 IDPs and around 200,000 of them are in need of humanitarian assistance. Around 1,600 families reside in 21 collective shelter, 14 of them are located in Tartous city and seven in the otherdistricts in the governorate (¹)

Resources are seriously overstretched and would soon be reaching a breaking point because of the sustained IDP influx and pressure on housing, infrastructure, basic services, and livelihoods opportunities. This has also weakened the capacity of local municipalities and administrative units to conduct periodic maintenance and repairs, including public shelters, which led to the wastage of large amounts of water and formation of dirt puddles, in and around shelters. Additionally, the spread of diseases, insects androdents increased.

To remedy this situation, UNDP provided vocational training, toolkits and job opportunities in the field of

plumbing to a number of IDPs andhost community members.

Aisha is one of the women beneficiaries. She has fled with her husband and her five children from the devastating conditions in Aleppo and took refuge in Tartous city.

When she first arrived, she lived with her family in a very small room that barely fit them. They suffered dire living conditions. «Necessity is the mother of invention,» she said, adding, “there is nothing wrong if a woman worked to help her husband. Together we can secure a decentincome for our family.”

Aisha has joined the plumbing project at its early stages. She made use of her newly acquired skills and plumbing toolkit to fix up the shelter. She later started her own business and extended her services to neighboring communities. She has a clear comparative advantage and is the preferred choice for housewives. «I’m so happy and proud of myself but the most important thing for me is to be able to send my children to school,» she said. Using the money she earned, she was able to build a second room and expand their living space. «Syrian women are strong and they are capable of working in any field. There are no exclusive jobs for men» she saidwith confidence.

Aisha (Tartous) Women can just do it: Plumbing project in Tartous

¹ OCHA , HNO report 2015

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Al-Qutayfah district is located in Rural Damascus, approximately 40 km east of the city of Damascus. It has been a relatively stable area during the crisis so it attracted a large number of people displaced by the ongoing hostilities who sought there a safe heaven.

Most of the IDPs left their homes without significant assets or belongings. They were struggling to fulfil their basic needs such as food and clothes, and were in dire need for humanitarian assistance. Their condition was further exacerbated by the considerable increase in prices and inflation, and the disruption of economic and productive activities leading to high unemployment rate.

In response to this situation, UNDP in partnership with a local NGO established a shoe-manufacturing workshop in Al-Qutayfah to provide job opportunities to IDPs and their host community and train them on new skills for eventually startingtheir own businesses.

Abed Al-Kareem, a 28-year old man who suffers from mobility constraints joined the workshop where he received training and a job opportunity. “I used to work as a driver on a food distribution car. I worked for many hours trying to save up money to be able to get married,” said Abed Al-Kareem, adding “However, I fell from the second floor and lost the ability to use my legs again. Since that day my dreams collapsed and I was

depressed”.

It was difficult for Abed Al-Kareem to cope with his new health condition, especially after the disruption of his only source of livelihood. Nevertheless, he was determined to find a new source of income to support his father suffering from a heart condition and diabetes, and providing for the needs of their family.

Early this year, he joined the shoe-manufacturing workshop in Al- Qutayfah where he learned new skills and regained the capacity to produce and earn an income. “I remember my first day at work when my colleagues helped me in climbing the stairs, I received a lot of care and attention and I was very happy.” He said, adding “It was a big challenge for me to learn this craft. However, I was full of hope and determined tobecome a skilled artisan.”

After working in the workshop for a couple of months, Abed Al-Kareem regained his positive attitude and self-confidence. He is using the earned wages to improve his living condition and fulfil the basic needs of his family.

The workshop succeeded in providing 70 employment opportunities for IDPs and their host community in Al-Qutayfah, helping them as such to restore their livelihoods. The workshop is still operating and is producing shoes sold to local residents at reasonable prices.

Abed AlKareem (Rural Damascus): Willingness to work against all odds

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As part of its NGO capacity development programme, UNDP is promoting networking and exchange of experience and know-how through NGOs twining. Twining focuses on peer-to-peer collaboration and support to achieve pre-agreed performance improvements. It complements formal training, directtechnical support and NGO grants.

The twinning programme facilitates the transfer of practical knowledge on managerial, financial and technical issues as well as on organisational systems and structures. Moreover, it improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the less experienced organization(s) through availing the opportunity to observe and discuss concrete examples and practical applications applied byothers.

As such, UNDP initiated a twinning programme to share the successful experience of “Beit Al Mouna workshop” for food production and processingin Hama with three NGOs from Al- Hassakeh, Tartous and Hama.

“Before this twinning initiative, we never realized how successful and promising a food production project can be. The time I spent in Hama showed me that success depends mainly on clear division of work and organization”, said Hanaa Al-Olwan, the Director of production department, food production and processing project in Al-Hassakeh.

Picture 4 Hanaa (second woman to the left) during her tour in the dough production section, twinning activity inBeit Al-Mouna, Hama © UNDP

Hanaa said summarizing her experience «For me it was a very useful experience, I learned important information about how to organize and document financial and administrative tasks to ensure optimal transparency and professionalism during the implementation process. The financial accounting software

provided to us by UNDP allows us to document, plan and monitor our work more effectively». Hanaa is confident that the gained knowledge will facilitatethe implementation of her project in Al- Hassakeh and save a lot of time and efforts.

Rasha Ahmad; the Accountant manager at food production workshop in Tartous, shared “Without this initiative, we will need many months to learn-by-doing and from our mistakes,” adding, “We had a valuable opportunity to observe practically and directly the working environment at Beit Al-Mouna in Hama. We learned about production processes, as well as marketing and management systems such as selling, buying, accounting, documenting and storing. I used to think that such a project can only be implemented during given seasons, and then I saw and learned that there are many alternative products we can produce during the entire year.”

Hadi Al Amir from Beit Al-Mouna in Hama said, “Through this initiative we thought again about tasks and matters we used to take for granted, and we saw through the eyes of others our strengths, weakness and opportunities. We were also able to meet NGOs from other governorates who brought with them their local knowledge and regional uniqueness. The established network will benefit us all on the short and long term”

Hanaa, Hadi and Rasha expressed their interest in participating in other twinning activities to learn more, improve the performance of their projects in Al-Hassakeh, Hama and Tartous, respectively, and assist other NGOs starting similar activities. They all confirmed that they will transfer their learning experience to their NGO colleagues who could not participate to maximize gains and spread theknowledge.

Learning from each other: NGOs twining

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10 real life stories on resilience inside syria - early...

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