Haya Merai, 22, Jordanian-originally Palestinian, born and raised in the UAE
Originally Palestinian, born and raised in the UAE
“I consider the UAE my home. I have friends who are originally from Palestine, born in the UAE and are currently living here, but can’t go back to their country.
It is very sad to see people being forced to leave their homes because of political situations and not being able to go back. Their children will never get to know or see where their parents and family were raised and could lose the connection to their ‘home.’
“The year 2016 has been tough for all displaced people, there has been many displaced from Syria and Palestine and the numbers keep increasing. I hope that the world will manage to one day find peace so that people can go back to their homes and rebuild their cities to make their countries great like they once were.
Reem Al Mobayed, Syrian, 23
Dubai resident
“My best friend had to leave Syria during the war, leaving her family back there. She made the choice to leave after things got worse, and decided it would be best to move away so she could still support her family. She went to Turkey, then took the boat to Greece, and then travelled from Greece to Belgium. Her sister had moved to Belgium before the war, but she wasn’t able to stay there because of residency issues. She is now completing her bachelor’s degree and learning the Dutch language. She is still supporting her family-parents and brother back in Syria. I have not seen her in six years, and I’m planning a trip next month to visit her.
It is horrible and very painful to see everyone I know being displaced. Syria was a safe and financially stable country, and I really wish, that all these displaced people are doing well, and still have hope to one day go back home.”
Layan Samir, 20, Yemeni, student
Dubai resident
“I’m Yemeni, but part Spanish, and have been a resident in Dubai for four years. But not everyone I know was lucky enough to be outside of Yemen when the war started.
Several relatives of mine have been displaced and many of my extended family and friends are still suffering the effects of the war. My cousins had to flee Yemen because their house was bombed while they were inside.
They managed to secure a way to escape to Saudi Arabia by car. [After two years in Saudi, they moved to the US]. It is a devastating situation.
It is hard to determine whether my cousins will be able to complete their education. I haven’t seen them in over three years now, because getting a visa almost anywhere is very difficult.
When people escape the war in Yemen, they make a huge sacrifice because they are aware that they won’t be able to easily establish a new life anywhere else. My cousins’ parents are both doctors and it took my uncle almost three years to find a job, where in Yemen, he was known to be one of the best cardio doctors in the country. I pray that 2017 is more stable for them.”
