Iraq 2014

In 2014, Khaled travelled to northern Iraq to meet Syrian families living in Kawergosk and Darashakran refugee camps and in the city of Erbil.  Khaled was raising vital awareness and funds for UNHCR’s Syria crisis appeal. He wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times, a feature article published in several countries including in The Independent in the UK, a blog for The Guardian and carried out multiple live interviews from the field with all major news networks.

  • This is Alan. He is a straight A student he lives with his father Mohammed in Darashakran refugee camp in Iraq.
    This is Alan. He is a straight A student he lives with his father Mohammed in Darashakran refugee camp in Iraq. © UNHCR/B. Sokol
  • Before the family fled Syria, Mohammed and his wife would often have to skip meals so that their children could eat. Despite risk of starvation, Mohammed admits that he only fled because of his children. Alan dreams of being a doctor or engineer. Mohammed explained, "I didn't want to damage their learning, their education, so I didn't have any other choice. But if it wasn't for my children I would have accepted the hunger and everything else and stayed in Syria."
    Before the family fled Syria, Mohammed and his wife would often have to skip meals so that their children could eat. Despite risk of starvation, Mohammed admits that he only fled because of his children. Alan dreams of being a doctor or engineer. Mohammed explained, "I didn't want to damage their learning, their education, so I didn't have any other choice. But if it wasn't for my children I would have accepted the hunger and everything else and stayed in Syria." © UNHCR/B. Sokol
  • The family is grateful for their shelter within the camp, and is thankful for the provision of healthcare and education. But fleeing has been an undeniably painful process. Mohammed was forced to leave Alan's mother in Syria. As Alan told Khaled, "Home means mother to me."
    The family is grateful for their shelter within the camp, and is thankful for the provision of healthcare and education. But fleeing has been an undeniably painful process. Mohammed was forced to leave Alan's mother in Syria. As Alan told Khaled, "Home means mother to me." © UNHCR/B. Sokol
  • Khaled also met Amina and her family. She was three months pregnant when she and her family fled their home. After a difficult pregnancy, Amina's son was born three months prematurely and fought for his life. The Refugee Housing Unit has helped Amina's health but the family still misses their homeland. Mohammed's life had a turbulent beginning but now hopefully his story will continue peacefully.
    Khaled also met Amina and her family. She was three months pregnant when she and her family fled their home. After a difficult pregnancy, Amina's son was born three months prematurely and fought for his life. The Refugee Housing Unit has helped Amina's health but the family still misses their homeland. Mohammed's life had a turbulent beginning but now hopefully his story will continue peacefully. © UNHCR/B. Sokol
  • Nalene, 21, is mother of three small girls, including 18-month-old twins. Her husband was injured in a mortar attack on their home and is now unable to work. In Syria Nalene ran a successful beauty salon and here at Kawergosk refugee camp she has set up a salon in a small tent. It's a challenging environment but she takes pride in the quality of her work and her professionalism. "I put plastic on the floor when I do a hair dye in case drops stain the carpet," she says, smiling. "People might say why bother, we're in a refugee camp. But it matters. I work hard to support my family but it's good for my mental well-being too."
    Nalene, 21, is mother of three small girls, including 18-month-old twins. Her husband was injured in a mortar attack on their home and is now unable to work. In Syria Nalene ran a successful beauty salon and here at Kawergosk refugee camp she has set up a salon in a small tent. It's a challenging environment but she takes pride in the quality of her work and her professionalism. "I put plastic on the floor when I do a hair dye in case drops stain the carpet," she says, smiling. "People might say why bother, we're in a refugee camp. But it matters. I work hard to support my family but it's good for my mental well-being too." © UNHCR/B. Sokol
  • Payman is a talented writer. The 16-year-old Syrian refugee was a top student before she and her family were forced to flee their home. There's no secondary school in Kawergosk refugee camp where she now lives and she misses attending class dearly, so much so that she weeps when talking about it.
    Payman is a talented writer. The 16-year-old Syrian refugee was a top student before she and her family were forced to flee their home. There's no secondary school in Kawergosk refugee camp where she now lives and she misses attending class dearly, so much so that she weeps when talking about it.  © UNHCR/B. Sokol
  • This is Alan. He is a straight A student he lives with his father Mohammed in Darashakran refugee camp in Iraq.
  • Before the family fled Syria, Mohammed and his wife would often have to skip meals so that their children could eat. Despite risk of starvation, Mohammed admits that he only fled because of his children. Alan dreams of being a doctor or engineer. Mohammed explained, "I didn't want to damage their learning, their education, so I didn't have any other choice. But if it wasn't for my children I would have accepted the hunger and everything else and stayed in Syria."
  • The family is grateful for their shelter within the camp, and is thankful for the provision of healthcare and education. But fleeing has been an undeniably painful process. Mohammed was forced to leave Alan's mother in Syria. As Alan told Khaled, "Home means mother to me."
  • Khaled also met Amina and her family. She was three months pregnant when she and her family fled their home. After a difficult pregnancy, Amina's son was born three months prematurely and fought for his life. The Refugee Housing Unit has helped Amina's health but the family still misses their homeland. Mohammed's life had a turbulent beginning but now hopefully his story will continue peacefully.
  • Nalene, 21, is mother of three small girls, including 18-month-old twins. Her husband was injured in a mortar attack on their home and is now unable to work. In Syria Nalene ran a successful beauty salon and here at Kawergosk refugee camp she has set up a salon in a small tent. It's a challenging environment but she takes pride in the quality of her work and her professionalism. "I put plastic on the floor when I do a hair dye in case drops stain the carpet," she says, smiling. "People might say why bother, we're in a refugee camp. But it matters. I work hard to support my family but it's good for my mental well-being too."
  • Payman is a talented writer. The 16-year-old Syrian refugee was a top student before she and her family were forced to flee their home. There's no secondary school in Kawergosk refugee camp where she now lives and she misses attending class dearly, so much so that she weeps when talking about it.