Goto main content

“I dream of returning home”

Emergency
Iraq

Reema is 72. She is from Gogjali, a village located near the city of Mosul. Three weeks ago, she fled the fighting and arrived in Khazer camp for displaced people, with her family. Suffering from several illnesses, she only survives with their help. Handicap International’s emergency team paid her a visit. 

Reema with her granddaughter Dhoha in their tent in Khazer camp.

Reema avec sa petite fille Dhoha, au sein de leur tente, dans le camp de Khazer. | © E. Fourt / Handicap International

When Handicap International’s team knocks on the door of Reema’s tent, they are greeted by a young woman dressed in a long coat. Dhoha invites the physiotherapists inside and gently explains: “You should meet my grandmother. She needs you.”

Sitting on a thin mattress on the floor, Reema invites the organisation’s professionals to make themselves comfortable. “I have diabetes and arthritis. I can’t walk anymore and I’m exhausted,” she says as the team settles in. Dhoha sits next to her grandmother and rubs her back to keep her warm.

Reema asks her granddaughter to light the stove to heat the tent a little. The wind whistles loudly as the team examines Reema. “The last two years have been horrific,” she says sadly. “Not a day has gone by without tears. It’s bitterly cold here, especially at night. But at least we’re not afraid anymore.” Reema explains how she fled her home before arriving in the camp a few weeks ago. “It was very hard,” she explains. “We left on foot. My children and grandchildren took it in turns to push me in my wheelchair. Dhoha is with me all the time. She’s a big help,” she adds, looking affectionately at her granddaughter. “It makes me happy to do it, grandma,” the teenager replies.

Handicap International’s team then enquires after Reema’s health. “I feel a little better here than in Gogjali. I’m less tired,” she says. “I have been sleeping at last and I think that helps.” The old woman admits that she finds her lack of mobility hard to cope with and she still suffers from pain in her knees. Salam, physiotherapist, gives her tips on how to feel better. He also shows Dhoha some daily rehabilitation exercises to do with her grandmother. He also says he’ll bring a wheelchair and a walking frame for Reema, so she can move around the camp more easily.

Before the team leaves, Reema shares her hopes with them. One day, she would like to return home with the rest of her family. “And this time, I will be the one taking care of them. I’ll start by cooking them a nice meal,” she says. 

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Fatou Thiam

USA

Mica BEVINGTON

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

“If I had stayed in my shelter, I would be dead now”
© HI
Emergency

“If I had stayed in my shelter, I would be dead now”

Cyclone Mocha hit Bangladesh and Myanmar on Sunday, 14 May. Our teams are currently assessing the damage and needs in Cox's Bazar refugee camps.

Cyclone Mocha may hit world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh
© Cyclocane.com
Emergency

Cyclone Mocha may hit world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh

Mocha may hit the border area of Bangladesh and Myanmar on sunday 14th May. Concerns are very high regarding Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, where 1 million Rohingya are living.

42,300 Sudanese refugees in Egypt: Humanitarian needs are severely increasing.
© Noha.K / HI
Emergency

42,300 Sudanese refugees in Egypt: Humanitarian needs are severely increasing.

Up to 300,000 Sudanese are expected to cross the border and will need humanitarian assistance. HI is prepared to aid refugees and host communities. Donors are urged to prevent disaster.