Refugee Voices
© UNHCR/Humera Karim
The Refugee Voices series showcases the stories of refugees, returnees, internally displaced and stateless people through their own lens and in their own words.
Through first-person narratives from across Asia and the Pacific, they share their experiences, perspectives and aspirations.
“As refugees, we have more than just basic needs. We have other desires, too.” – Mahbooba, refugee in Quetta, Pakistan
'It's just the start of my journey'
Asif Sultani, an Afghan athlete and refugee activist living in Australia, shares his lessons on overcoming defeat and cultivating resilience.
'I felt like I was being reborn'
Formerly a stateless person himself, Yutthachai Jaju is now helping to end statelessness among communities in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand.
'I try to help others where I can'
Amid the COVID-19 crisis in India, Ghaffar Darabian, a car mechanic who fled Iran and now lives in Pune, explains why he feels that we must always help others in need.
'Rohingya delivering messages for Rohingya, to Rohingya – this is how we dreamed to have a film school'
Faruque Mohammed, 33, is a Rohingya refugee and co-founder of Omar's Film School in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The informal school trains young Rohingya refugees on photography and videography so they can tell their own stories.
'Together, women will become even stronger'
Leena Al-Mujaheed, founder of the Yemeni Refugee Women Association in Malaysia, calls on fellow women to break free of restrictive traditions.
'Education enables us to sense the meaning of life'
Mahbooba, a 22-year-old Afghan refugee in Pakistan, has often struggled to continue her education while also helping to provide for her family. She explains what has motivated her to persevere.
'We were made for Afghanistan, and Afghanistan was made for us'
Born a refugee in Iran, Zahra Mohammadi returned to Afghanistan as a young child. Now 20 years old, she describes why she remains hopeful for the country's future and urges the international community to 'not leave us behind'.
'With education, I have learned to speak up for myself'
Eight years after fleeing Myanmar alone as a 12-year-old Rohingya boy, Mohammed Anwar recounts his long journey to Texas, United States, and describes his hopes for the future.
'Every parent wants their child to be safe'
Having fled Myanmar as a young boy, Mohammed Rafique reflects on his current home of Carlow, Ireland and shares his hopes for fellow Rohingya refugees.
'We all miss home, but we cannot go back to the same fear'
Three years after she fled to Bangladesh, Rohingya refugee Nur Ayna shares her memories of Myanmar, experiences in exile, and dreams of returning home.