Imagine having to run away and leave everything you’ve ever known, risking it all for a chance at a new life. This is the reality for countless migrants and refugees fleeing violence. This World Refugee Day, we honor their bravery and resilience by highlighting their stories.
Hawar, Search’s Iraq Jobs Manager, recounts his childhood experience fleeing to Iran during Saddam Hussein’s 1991 invasion, which inspired him to help others decades later. Watch his story to learn about his experience (transcript below):
[Transcript]:
Hello everyone, My name is Hawar.
I’m based in Kurdistan region of Iraq. My position as Iraq jobs team manager and I’m working with the Mina region team.
Today, I want to share a dream with you. A dream that I discovered when I migrated to Iran as a child.
At the end of March 1991 the Iraqi regime headed by Saddam Hussein invaded the contested region of Kirkuk. Both Kurds and Arabs have ties to the region and claim it. There was a fear among the people of Kurdistan that the regime would continue its push into Kurdistan.
This caused many courts to flee from the area to the surrounding Iranian and Turkish borders. Today we commemorate this flight by calling a dis-migration of millions of Kurds. I was a young child at that time, but I still recall the memories of that fateful day.
I remember 100 thousands of people from all religions and ethnic groups linked towards the borders by any means necessary with many of them walking because they lacked cars and other transportation. I recall babies and toddlers crying due to lack of milk and the sick and old suffering from lack of medical treatment.
My cousin was one of these unfortunate individuals. He suffered from Tasigna and he was badly in need of blood, but he was unable to find it. And sadly, he passed away, but he was not the only one, hundreds of people died along the way with hundreds of others being separated from their family members.
After arriving at the Iranian border and crossing to the Iranian Kurd site, we were met by the local Kurdish population and they provided us with food items and non-food items and invited us to their home. I was a young child but I was so touched by their generosity and willingness to help others in need.
I decided that I would one day give back to others who had fled their home in the same way that these people had helped me.
Two decades later, Isis invaded Mosul and Sar in Iraq and many people from the local community fled to the Kurdistan region. I achieved my childhood dream when I had the opportunity to help people in the same way that others had helped me.
In the past, I began working in the humanitarian sector in the beginning because of the urgency. I worked 16 hours days of the city trade months, but I did not feel tired.
My memories of when I had fled and all of the other people who had helped me as a child keep me going. I was energized by the thoughts of their assistance to people who were from different religions and cultures and the fond memories of us all becoming friends and family.
Despite our differences, a decade after this, I still continuing working in this field and I continue to hope for the end of the violence and conflict. I wish to see everyone live with dignity, sharing love and be in peace. Thank you.
On World Refugee Day, we honor the strength and resilience of refugees worldwide. Join us in making a tangible impact on the lives of refugees in Latin America and at the U.S.-Mexico border. Together, we can turn awareness into action and help refugees rebuild their lives with dignity.
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