Campaign spotlights positive stories amidst refugee crisis

AMMAN — Deema Yaseen says her heart jumps every time she sees a child with a new prosthetic limb running and jumping in joy.

Yaseen works as a volunteer physiotherapist at the Amman-based Souriyat Across Borders (Syrian women across borders) Medical Centre, which provides treatment for war-wounded Syrian refugees of all ages.

“I decided to volunteer because I wanted to help war victims… they often suffer from very difficult injuries and have not received proper medical care in Syria due to very limited treatment capabilities in shelters,” she told The Jordan Times.

Although Yaseen has worked with many injured women and children, her story with 11-year-old Salam Jundi, who lost a leg in a bombing in Daraa while on her way to buy sweets from a nearby shop, is special.

“Salam’s left leg was amputated below the knee and her right leg had several fractures, which rendered her unable to walk,” the physiotherapist said.

Jundi, who underwent surgery and therapy at the centre for over nine months, was able to let go of the wheelchair and walk by herself again thanks to a new prosthetic limb and daily physiotherapy sessions with Yaseen.

This story and several others are part of an online campaign dubbed “Everyday Heroes of Syria” that tells stories of ordinary people from all walks of life who lend a hand to ease the suffering of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Jordan.

The campaign, which marks World Refugee Day observed on June 20, is carried out by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

“There is a lot of media coverage highlighting the negative impact of the crisis on the refugee-hosting countries, but there are also many positive stories that never get reported,” said David Verboom, ECHO’s regional head of office in Jordan. 

In a statement sent to The Jordan Times, he noted that the campaign is an attempt to “redress the balance a little” and to shed light on the generosity and friendship shown towards the refugees and vice versa, which is often not highlighted.

“All the individuals featured in the campaign are a true inspiration to those of us who will never stop working towards delivering dignity to refugees as they await a just solution to their plight,” MENA-DRC Director Peter Klansoe said.

 “Particularly heartening are the young Syrian male and female refugees who in their new host communities are working hard every day to make life better for their fellow refugees,” he added.

Since the start of the conflict in Syria, more than 11.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including 3.9 million who fled to neighbouring countries, and more than 12 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, an increase of 30 per cent compared to one year ago, according to the DRC.

During this month, people are invited to post and share on social media outlets their everyday hero tales that boost the sense of solidarity between the Syrian refugees and their host communities.

“Salam and other war-injured children taught me that life continues no matter how major or minor our losses are,” Yaseen noted.