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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Syria refugee crisis: 'We should be accepted because we are humans' | Syria refugee crisis: 'We should be accepted because we are humans' |
| (2 months later) | |
| Hind is 26. She studied environmental engineering and previously worked for government sectors in Syria; she has been living in Jordan for the past six months. | Hind is 26. She studied environmental engineering and previously worked for government sectors in Syria; she has been living in Jordan for the past six months. |
| Ibrahim is 19. He graduated from high school, but was unable to enrol in university due to the conflict. He travelled to Jordan with his family nine months ago. | Ibrahim is 19. He graduated from high school, but was unable to enrol in university due to the conflict. He travelled to Jordan with his family nine months ago. |
| Anas is 24 and from Damascus. He graduated from university with a diploma in tourism marketing, and was a body-building champion in Syria – but he was forced to come to Jordan with his brother when the conflict started. The rest of his family remain in Syria. | Anas is 24 and from Damascus. He graduated from university with a diploma in tourism marketing, and was a body-building champion in Syria – but he was forced to come to Jordan with his brother when the conflict started. The rest of his family remain in Syria. |
| Laura Oliver: Firstly, thanks for giving up your time to answer questions today. Can you tell us about the experience of leaving Syria and arriving in Jordan? When and how did you reach what must have been an incredibly difficult decision? | Laura Oliver: Firstly, thanks for giving up your time to answer questions today. Can you tell us about the experience of leaving Syria and arriving in Jordan? When and how did you reach what must have been an incredibly difficult decision? |
| I also wanted to ask you about what you hope or think the future might hold – can you see yourself returning to Syria at some point? Is it possible for you to personally plan for further education, jobs relating to your degrees in the future? | I also wanted to ask you about what you hope or think the future might hold – can you see yourself returning to Syria at some point? Is it possible for you to personally plan for further education, jobs relating to your degrees in the future? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| When the war started I had to move from one city to another city, but the new city had the same problems so my family had no place to go. Because I was young the Syrian army wanted me to join. So we had no choice but to come to Jordan. | When the war started I had to move from one city to another city, but the new city had the same problems so my family had no place to go. Because I was young the Syrian army wanted me to join. So we had no choice but to come to Jordan. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| The place where we were living was not dangerous, but because we were against Bashar [al-Assad, the Syrian president] and the shop we owned was destroyed we had to leave. | The place where we were living was not dangerous, but because we were against Bashar [al-Assad, the Syrian president] and the shop we owned was destroyed we had to leave. |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| I was wanted by secret police. | I was wanted by secret police. |
| Greg Beals: I have a question for our refugee participants. What I find remarkable given the virtually unprecedented levels of violence we've seen inside Syria isn't so much that 1.8 million people have left but that millions more have decided to stay despite the violence. This is something we've seen in places like Sarajevo and other locations. To be sure many people who would be refugees have a terrible fear of the uncertainty around leaving their homes. What was it that led each of our participants to flee? And for their friends and relatives who may still be in Syria, what were the reasons that led them to stay? | Greg Beals: I have a question for our refugee participants. What I find remarkable given the virtually unprecedented levels of violence we've seen inside Syria isn't so much that 1.8 million people have left but that millions more have decided to stay despite the violence. This is something we've seen in places like Sarajevo and other locations. To be sure many people who would be refugees have a terrible fear of the uncertainty around leaving their homes. What was it that led each of our participants to flee? And for their friends and relatives who may still be in Syria, what were the reasons that led them to stay? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| Some friends had to stay because they were surrounded by the military and the FSA [Free Syrian Army] and couldn't get out. Others didn't have money. | Some friends had to stay because they were surrounded by the military and the FSA [Free Syrian Army] and couldn't get out. Others didn't have money. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| They didn't have passports to leave the country. | They didn't have passports to leave the country. |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| They stay just because they want to stay in their country. Regardless. | They stay just because they want to stay in their country. Regardless. |
| capmint1: Hi Hind, Ibrahim and Anas, exposure to conflict impacts everyone differently; what, if any changes, good and bad, have you noticed in yourselves, and seen in others? A related question, has volunteering for Care helped you in any way (as well as others)? | capmint1: Hi Hind, Ibrahim and Anas, exposure to conflict impacts everyone differently; what, if any changes, good and bad, have you noticed in yourselves, and seen in others? A related question, has volunteering for Care helped you in any way (as well as others)? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| Yes sure, many changes. All positive changes in my character. My experience taught me how to be responsible and strong. My volunteering in Care taught me how to deal with people. My personality has grown and I am able to work with different people. | Yes sure, many changes. All positive changes in my character. My experience taught me how to be responsible and strong. My volunteering in Care taught me how to deal with people. My personality has grown and I am able to work with different people. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| There have been many changes, but positive not negative. I gained a stronger personality and greater responsibility. I've also learned how to react in different situations. Of course, changing the whole environment is negative. | There have been many changes, but positive not negative. I gained a stronger personality and greater responsibility. I've also learned how to react in different situations. Of course, changing the whole environment is negative. |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| For me there are changes but almost all negative ones: depression, being alone, and a bad memory always with me. But on the positive side I have become more modest. Being in Care, for me, allows me to deal with regular Syrians, while in Syria I only worked with the upper class people. | For me there are changes but almost all negative ones: depression, being alone, and a bad memory always with me. But on the positive side I have become more modest. Being in Care, for me, allows me to deal with regular Syrians, while in Syria I only worked with the upper class people. |
| The Elegant Diplomat: What have been the responses by both the general population and governments within the countries receiving Syrian refugees? | The Elegant Diplomat: What have been the responses by both the general population and governments within the countries receiving Syrian refugees? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| I hear bad things from the people. There is pressure from the government about not working and government issued IDs. We feel threatened by the population, supported by the government. One of the most common things I hear from Jordanians is: "You are young people. Why don't you go back to Syria and fight?" | I hear bad things from the people. There is pressure from the government about not working and government issued IDs. We feel threatened by the population, supported by the government. One of the most common things I hear from Jordanians is: "You are young people. Why don't you go back to Syria and fight?" |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| Very bad. If I leave Jordan I will never come back again, because of both the population and government. The government makes the procedures very hard for us. From the population, I hear bad attitudes and bad words about us. If there is any fight or issue, we will be sent immediately to the camp. | Very bad. If I leave Jordan I will never come back again, because of both the population and government. The government makes the procedures very hard for us. From the population, I hear bad attitudes and bad words about us. If there is any fight or issue, we will be sent immediately to the camp. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| I hear bad things from the people, the same as Anas. Bad attitudes and bad words. | I hear bad things from the people, the same as Anas. Bad attitudes and bad words. |
| Taku555: Hi Hind, Ibrahim and Anas. One can only imagine the turmoil and disruption you have been through and I appreciate the time you have given us. If the war were to continue for another year would you hope to be relocated to another country? Would it even be possible? And if the rebels were defeated and Bashar al-Assad remained in power would you return to Syria? | Taku555: Hi Hind, Ibrahim and Anas. One can only imagine the turmoil and disruption you have been through and I appreciate the time you have given us. If the war were to continue for another year would you hope to be relocated to another country? Would it even be possible? And if the rebels were defeated and Bashar al-Assad remained in power would you return to Syria? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| I would return to Syria. It is better to die in my country than to stay in Jordan, without hope of doing anything. | I would return to Syria. It is better to die in my country than to stay in Jordan, without hope of doing anything. |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| If the situation continues as it is, I will return to Syria regardless. I was intending to come to Jordan then go to America. I want to go back to Syria because even if I stay in Jordan for 20 years I will not make anything and not change. | If the situation continues as it is, I will return to Syria regardless. I was intending to come to Jordan then go to America. I want to go back to Syria because even if I stay in Jordan for 20 years I will not make anything and not change. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| I would stay in Jordan. | I would stay in Jordan. |
| lavenderrose: Hello, this is a question for Hind, thank you for answering our questions on here. Your photograph shows you wearing western clothes and you are described as having studied environmental engineering, and so are highly educated. Parts of rebel-controlled Syria are now ruled by strict sharia law. My question is that if/when Assad is defeated and if sharia law is subsequently introduced throughout Syria do you think you will return home? | lavenderrose: Hello, this is a question for Hind, thank you for answering our questions on here. Your photograph shows you wearing western clothes and you are described as having studied environmental engineering, and so are highly educated. Parts of rebel-controlled Syria are now ruled by strict sharia law. My question is that if/when Assad is defeated and if sharia law is subsequently introduced throughout Syria do you think you will return home? |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| Yes, I would. The thing was always for Assad to be defeated. As long as he is defeated, then I am fine with going back. Whoever came after Assad will have passed through the same suffering, so they will apply democracy – regardless of their religious background. | Yes, I would. The thing was always for Assad to be defeated. As long as he is defeated, then I am fine with going back. Whoever came after Assad will have passed through the same suffering, so they will apply democracy – regardless of their religious background. |
| Line Faber: What kind of involvement from foreign countries and/or the UN do the Syrian people wish for? | Line Faber: What kind of involvement from foreign countries and/or the UN do the Syrian people wish for? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| We need only the material support. So many men are ready to fight in Syria – they just need the weapons. I also want other countries to open their doors to receive refugees. Immigration. | We need only the material support. So many men are ready to fight in Syria – they just need the weapons. I also want other countries to open their doors to receive refugees. Immigration. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| Military support. Only to send the weapons without interfering directly. The weapons should be given to the Free [Syrian] Army only. | Military support. Only to send the weapons without interfering directly. The weapons should be given to the Free [Syrian] Army only. |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| I agree with Hind and Ibrahim mostly. However, I also want a no-fly zone over Syria, and the weapons should be given to anyone who is against Assad. | I agree with Hind and Ibrahim mostly. However, I also want a no-fly zone over Syria, and the weapons should be given to anyone who is against Assad. |
| Glenda Cooper: What are the different challenges you face compared to those who live in refugee camps? Do you have friends & family in the camps? | Glenda Cooper: What are the different challenges you face compared to those who live in refugee camps? Do you have friends & family in the camps? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| I have relatives living in Zaatari, and it is a challenging life in the camp. Outside the camp you have a roof but in the camp you have a tent. The person who wants to leave the camp needs to pay money, and most don't have money. | I have relatives living in Zaatari, and it is a challenging life in the camp. Outside the camp you have a roof but in the camp you have a tent. The person who wants to leave the camp needs to pay money, and most don't have money. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| Living outside the camp is easier. We found shelter and food. In the camp there is no safety, and the living circumstances are very hard. There is abuse; more than outside the camp. There is no life in the camp compared to outside. There are so many challenges outside the camp, but it is always better than living in the camp. | Living outside the camp is easier. We found shelter and food. In the camp there is no safety, and the living circumstances are very hard. There is abuse; more than outside the camp. There is no life in the camp compared to outside. There are so many challenges outside the camp, but it is always better than living in the camp. |
| Roger Burks: First of all, thank you for taking time on this live blog chat. Second, three questions for our guests today: 1. How has the Syrian refugee crisis exacerbated the vulnerability of refugee women in places like Amman? 2. How has the crisis affected gender-based violence? 3. How has the crisis affected the prevalence of early marriage? | Roger Burks: First of all, thank you for taking time on this live blog chat. Second, three questions for our guests today: 1. How has the Syrian refugee crisis exacerbated the vulnerability of refugee women in places like Amman? 2. How has the crisis affected gender-based violence? 3. How has the crisis affected the prevalence of early marriage? |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| So many women lost their husbands, and so many families lost their fathers. Some of the women came here and left their men behind. Not all of the men who came here can't go to work, because they are injured or old. Some families have so many members. In Zaatari they are dealing with women as goods. In Jordan, some women are getting married very young because they are so in need, and the family cannot support them. They choose to be married. | So many women lost their husbands, and so many families lost their fathers. Some of the women came here and left their men behind. Not all of the men who came here can't go to work, because they are injured or old. Some families have so many members. In Zaatari they are dealing with women as goods. In Jordan, some women are getting married very young because they are so in need, and the family cannot support them. They choose to be married. |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| Being here alone without men means that Jordanian men might abuse Syrian women, [saying:] "Do something and I will give you something." | Being here alone without men means that Jordanian men might abuse Syrian women, [saying:] "Do something and I will give you something." |
| Elizabeth Tsurkov: I'd like to ask Ibrahim, Hind & Anas what private citizens (not govs) around the world can do to help the Syrian people? | Elizabeth Tsurkov: I'd like to ask Ibrahim, Hind & Anas what private citizens (not govs) around the world can do to help the Syrian people? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| Donate and collect money to send to the people inside Syria. It is the most important thing to send to the people in Syria. | Donate and collect money to send to the people inside Syria. It is the most important thing to send to the people in Syria. |
| Hind & Anas (joint answer): | Hind & Anas (joint answer): |
| Hold demonstrations in their countries, to push their governments to do something to help the Syrians and do something there. There are demonstrations in Britain and America to try to get those governments to do something. | Hold demonstrations in their countries, to push their governments to do something to help the Syrians and do something there. There are demonstrations in Britain and America to try to get those governments to do something. |
| Damon Meredith: I have a question for Ibrahim, Hind and Anas: Many people are fearful of others coming into what they see as "their country". Can you explain with one sentence why they should accept you? | Damon Meredith: I have a question for Ibrahim, Hind and Anas: Many people are fearful of others coming into what they see as "their country". Can you explain with one sentence why they should accept you? |
| Ibrahim: | Ibrahim: |
| We should be accepted because we are humans, and no one owns the land. | We should be accepted because we are humans, and no one owns the land. |
| Hind: | Hind: |
| I wish other countries could receive us. | I wish other countries could receive us. |
| Anas: | Anas: |
| It is our right to live wherever we want. | It is our right to live wherever we want. |
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