Coping with Dystopia: Coping with Becoming a Refugee
November 8, 2023 — COPING WITH DYSTOPIA
Refugees are the human faces of displacement, forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and hardships. In a world that struggles with a constant stream of crises, the refugee crisis remains one of the most pressing global issues. The numbers are staggering – millions of individuals worldwide are living in uncertain conditions as they seek refuge.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by the end of 2020, there were approximately 82.4 million forcibly displaced people globally, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons.
Becoming a refugee may seem like a remote possibility for many, but it is, in fact, a reality that millions face daily. The UNHCR reports that, on average, one person is forcibly displaced every two seconds. These individuals are not just statistics; they are mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents who have seen their lives upended by violence, conflict, or persecution.
The regions most affected by this crisis include the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Syria, Afghanistan, and South Sudan have remained among the top countries of origin for refugees, with millions fleeing violence and instability in their homelands. The countries neighboring these conflict zones, such as Turkey, Pakistan, and Uganda, have been burdened with hosting large refugee populations.
In this 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.
Finally, Thaeer reached the Netherlands, where he began the process of rebuilding his life. He gained legal status, and after years of separation, he was reunited with his wife and daughter, who had also endured their share of trauma throughout their experiences.
Thaeer is currently working on a documentary project to shed light on the life of a refugee, offering an authentic glimpse into the journey he and countless others have endured. He even attempted to return to Syria to retrace his steps and capture the ongoing struggle.
In this episode, Thaeer shares five invaluable pieces of advice for individuals considering the path of a refugee or those who find themselves thrust into it:
Don't Do It for Yourself: becoming a refugee should not be a self-serving decision. It's a choice that should not be made lightly.
Don't Plan for Your Future: making long-term plans as a refugee is almost impossible, as the unpredictable nature of displacement can shatter those plans.
Expect Cultural and Language Loss: prepare for the loss of these vital aspects of your identity, and the emotional toll of leaving behind your culture and language.
Anticipate Personal Change: becoming a refugee can transform a person significantly. The experiences and hardships endured can lead to profound personal changes. Expect and prepare for this transformation.
Prepare for Altered Relationships: relationships with family, friends, and even one's own body and mind will change as a refugee. The journey and experience can have a profound impact on all aspects of life.
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