Reference :
V-P-JO-E-00209
Date :
01/11/2015
Caption :
Mafraq. The ICRC and the Jordanian Red Crescent Society distribute cash machine cards to Syrian refugees, mainly to women who are looking after their families on their own.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, article of the 26th November 2015:
"For Syrian refugees living in Jordan life is a daily struggle. Humanitarian assistance makes their lives a little easier, but life is a constant mix of fear, anxiety and hope for a better future.
Three years ago, Um Nawwaf's family was living in Ghouta, Syria, which at that time was rocked by shelling. Fearful for her children, she fled to Jordan, while her husband stayed in Syria. She now lives alone with her five children in a small apartment in Mafraq governorate.
"I will never forget that day when my daughter was looking for a place to hide as the shells were falling around us," recalls Um Nawwaf. "She fell on a rock and hit her head and since then she has been suffering from epilepsy. That was the final straw – we simply had to move."
For the past two years Um Nawwaf has been receiving support from the ICRC through its cash assistance programme (see box below). "We wait patiently for each monthly instalment," she says, adding, "Without this life-saving assistance, our situation would have been dire."
Um Nawwaf describes how hard it is to be a refugee: "I can barely afford to put a roof over my head. My son Nawwaf had to drop out of school and find a job to help me with the expenses." Barely holding held back her tears she says: "My heart breaks every time he leaves for work. He's only 13 years old."
She describes the feeling when she gets a text message telling her that the money has been deposited in her bank account: "The money helps us pay the rent, fuel and electricity bills, in addition to buying food and other essential items. It makes our lives bearable."
With a glimmer of hope in her eyes, Um Nawwaf says: "I wake up every day telling myself that this is a temporary situation and that things will get better soon. I hope so." "
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
5184x3456
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
