Mohammad and Rajaa’s Story

Mohammad and Rajaa’s Story, an elderly Syrian couple navigating uncertainty after years in exile.

Roqia, a 30-year-old Afghan woman, was born in Iran and spent the last eight years in Pakistan after leaving Afghanistan with her four brothers and sister. In Pakistan, she and her brothers worked in carpet weaving to support themselves. Recently, the family returned to Afghanistan, hoping to rebuild their lives.

“We spent eight years in Pakistan and have just come back to Afghanistan. Right now we have no shelter, no household items, no work – we have nothing.”

They are currently staying with neighbors in Kabul, but the situation is temporary and uncertain. With winter approaching, their most urgent needs are shelter, heating, and basic household items.

“This is our first winter here. We need a heater and we need fuel. It’s very difficult, as we have just arrived.”

At the Kabul Encashment Centre, Roqia and her family received 11,500 Afghanis (about $163) per person in cash assistance from UNHCR. It’s a vital first step toward stability. “We’ll spend that money on renting a house and buying household items, as we have nothing right now.”

Roqia is also concerned about the lack of job opportunities and the uncertainty of starting over. “There should be work to have a good life. A person should be able to live in peace. We need security in Kabul to live peacefully.”

Despite the challenges, Roqia remains hopeful that with support, her family can find stability and dignity in their return.

Other Stories

Hakima’s Story, a displaced mother in Afghanistan

“We no longer have a home. We live in a tent on the rooftop of a building, using plastic sheets to protect ourselves from the rain”

Rahima’a Story, a displaced family from Afghanistan.

“We live in a basement without electricity or clean water, and every winter is harsh on us. I tell my children to read the Quran and be patient, and one day God will help us.”

Mohammed’s Story, a displaced Yemeni father living with his children in an informal settlement.

“I think about it all the time. Where will I get food for my children while I am fasting? We eat whatever we have and thank God for it. We try to remain patient and ask God to lift the hardship from our lives.”