September 26, 2024
News
Over 6 million people have fled their homes due of the war in Syria, which has been going on for more than 13 years. Walaa and her two daughters have suffered the same fate. Shelling has driven them from their rural home to a refugee camp where they live in bad conditions. This has negatively affected Walaa's physical and mental health. That is why Caritas Czech Republic offered her a helping hand to feel like herself again.
A difficult life situation has affected Walaa's health
55-year- old Walaa and her two daughters, who are not even 15 years old, are facing a difficult life situation due to the war in Syria. As a result of shelling, they had to leave their rural home in the village of Khanaser in northern Syria on a rainy winter night. After moving from place to place, they finally settled in the rural town of Al-Bab. Walaa was left on her own. Her husband abandoned her, leaving her without the help she needed.
Today, Walaa and her daughters live in a refugee camp in a house with mud walls and a canvas roof that does not protect them from the summer heat or winter cold. In addition, Walaa suffers from several illnesses. She has had a stroke that has caused her problems with movement, and she also suffers from a skin disease that adds to her daily pain and suffering.
"When the difficulties of life increased, I started to feel exhausted and like a stranger, as if I did not belong to this place where displacement, illness and hardship combined. This left a deep impact on me and over time I found that I preferred to spend most of my time alone, away from people. I didn't like to talk to anyone or attend women's sessions like I used to. Loneliness became my companion and this had a very negative impact not only on me but also on my two daughters," says Walaa sadly.
Caritas Czech Republic gave Walaa psychological support that changed her life
Caritas Czech Republic in cooperation with Takaful Al Sham are providing psychological support for people in difficult situations in Syria. Our colleagues heard about Walaa's situation and decided to visit her and convince her to attend a psychological session. Over time, the team managed to gain her trust and Walaa attended the session. This was the new beginning for her.
Right after her first visit to the psychological support session, Walaa started feeling better. "After attending the sessions, I said to myself, why do I keep myself isolated from people? I started talking to my neighbours and visiting them again. It made me feel very good," says Walaa.
Walaa realised that she had to be stronger, especially for her daughters and their future. She stopped seeing herself as a sick person who needed help. Rather, she became more determined to face life with courage and strength.
"I hope to be able to send my daughters back to school so they can finish their education and I can be proud of them. Studying will guarantee a better future for them," Walaa adds.
Caritas Czech Republic in Syria
Caritas Czech Republic has been providing aid to people in Syria since 2013. Initially, we were involved in improving the quality of medical care in the form of mobile clinics. Last year, we actively helped to repair the damage after the catastrophic earthquake.
Displaced people in Syria now live in harsh living conditions, suffer from a lack of clean drinking water and lack access to decent sanitation due to bombing and inadequate maintenance of water sources. For this reason, we are improving access to drinking water for more than 6,500 people and providing them better sanitation.
Violence against women is also a major problem in Syria. The conditions created by the crisis are not safe for local women and they are often subjected to sexual or domestic violence and forced marriage. That is why we spread awareness of this issue and organise presentations on the topic of violence against women and how to protect against it.
We are helping in Syria thanks to the financial assistance of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and cooperation with the Syrian humanitarian organization Takaful Al Sham (TAS).
