Ibtihal’s Story

Sitting in the living room of their shell-damaged home in southern Syria, Ibtihal, 52, described the surge of emotion she felt when she and her husband, Abu Abbas, finally returned after twelve years living as refugees in Jordan.

“When I first arrived and stood at the border, I was overjoyed and moved, I started crying,” she said. “I hadn’t seen my country or my family for 12 years.”

The couple’s emotional return soon gave way to practical challenges. Their home was partially destroyed, with blown-out doors and windows, a damaged roof and no electricity or running water. Even the flooring that Abu Abbas, a tiler, had installed had been removed by looters.

“When I saw my home, it was in ruins,” Ibtihal said. “Life is truly painful. The basic necessities are missing.”

Life in Jordan had become harder as Abu Abbas struggled to find work, contributing to their decision to return. He has since found construction work and begun repairs on their home, but there are still hurdles for the family to overcome.

Last year in Jordan, Ibtihal received treatment for cancer, but health services in the nearby city of Dar’a are struggling with shortages of equipment, personnel and medicine.

“You need to go to Damascus, but the cost of travel is too high, and I simply can’t afford it,” she explained.

Their youngest son, Omar, 14, was going to school in Jordan but has yet to enrol since returning. He is helping his father with tiling work and plans to resume his studies next school year.

For returning families, humanitarian support is essential to help them reestablish their lives while they seek a stable income. UNHCR and its partners are providing household essentials, repairs to damaged homes and emergency cash assistance, but needs far outweigh available resources.

Despite the challenges, Ibtihal and Abu Abbas are happy to be home and looking positively to the future.

“We remain hopeful,” Ibtihal said. “God willing, we will live again with love and friendship, and life will return to how it was.”