Coping with Becoming a Refugee

In our seventh episode we are joined by Thaeer Muhreez, a Syrian filmmaker, and one of the countless individuals whose life took an unexpected turn in the wake of the Syrian civil war. His story is one of resilience and survival. Thaeer was on the brink of a major career breakthrough, securing funding for a new film project when the civil war erupted. He found himself in the eye of a storm, which forced him to abandon his dreams and confront the harsh reality of conflict. With rebel groups marking him for death, Thaeer realised that he was not just leaving Damascus; he was leaving Syria. He embarked on a challenging journey to reach the Netherlands, where he had friends. In his quest for safety, he sold his belongings, left his family with his mother, and set out with a group of Syrians. The path was fraught with danger, including treacherous boat rides, smugglers, and life-threatening moments. Thaeer's determination to reach safety fuelled his journey, despite exhaustion, sickness, and the constant fear of death.