For Wafaa Ahmed’s son Mohammed, the only home that he has ever known is a tent in a refugee camp. The youngest of Wafaa’s six children, six month old Mohammed is a chubby, blue eyed, inquisitive little boy. However, when he was born doctors feared that he may not survive.
When Wafaa went into labour her husband took her to Islamic Relief’s health clinic. Around four babies are born here every month where they are cared for by a team of Islamic Relief doctors, nurses and midwives. However, Wafaa’s baby was not due for another six weeks and there were complications during labour, so she was rushed to the nearest hospital where she eventually gave birth to Mohammed.
Specialist care
“During my pregnancy I experienced a lot of pain and complications, and eventually I delivered Mohammed around six weeks early,” said Wafaa. “I think that I had so many problems because of the stress of living in this camp, and difficulties of living in a tent.”
“At first I came to the clinic in the camp, but the doctors then referred me to the hospital in Rutba because the baby was very premature and needed specialist care. Luckily he was strong and did not need to stay in hospital for too long and after a few days I could bring him back to the camp.”
“But it has been very hard living in a tent with a young baby. In the summer months it was very hot, but now it is cold and damp all the time. Even my older children don’t understand why we are here and why we aren’t living in a house and they cry all the time.”
Forced to leave
33-year-old Wafaa arrived at Al Waleed camp with her husband and five daughters in September 2007. They left Baghdad in 2006 after repeated threats and attacks on Palestinian families in their neighbourhood. Initially they travelled to Syria to stay with Wafaa’s mother but they were denied residence and were forced to leave, eventually settling in Al Waleed.
“Life in Al Waleed is very hard,” said Wafaa. “When we lived in Baghdad my husband used to buy and sell cars and we had a good standard of life, but now we don’t have any money of our own. A few men have managed to find employment as labourers but otherwise there is no work.
Psychological pressures
“Often it feels as if there is no way out of this camp and many people have become depressed. I have suffered from depression myself because I felt so helpless at my situation. Some people get violent, others are upset or withdrawn, and some people have even become physically ill.”
To help the women deal with the psychological pressures of a life in the camp, Islamic Relief has set up a women’s centre where they can come to learn new skills or to receive support from counsellors and social workers.
There is also a primary and secondary school where children including Wafaa’s five daughters can continue their education, giving them some sense of normality in the midst of a difficult situation.
Fresh start
However, in one month’s time life for Wafaa’s life will change completely as they will finally be moving to the USA.
“My children and I are so excited,” said Wafaa. “When I get there I want to re-start my life. I want to set up a business making clothes. I hope that my children will get a good education as they are very clever and have a bright future in front of them.”