By Omar Abdurrahman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Alya al-Najm, a 39-year-old woman from Deir ez-Zor eastern countryside, eastern Syria, has finally returned to her community after spending four years in the notorious Hawl Camp. Fleeing the devastation of war that claimed her husband and relatives, she and her two children found refuge in the camp in Northeast Syria in 2020, where they endured hardship and uncertainty until her recent release.
Her story mirrors the harsh reality faced by countless families torn apart by the ongoing conflict in Syria, a war that has ravaged the country since its eruption in 2011.
Difficult conditions
Al-Najm recounted to North Press the harsh conditions she endured in the camp, where her biggest fear was the exposure of her children to extremist ideologies. They were deprived of education, surrounded by the spread of diseases, and struggled with a severe lack of healthcare and basic services. Privacy was nearly impossible, as tents were crammed together with little space between them.
Hawl Camp is considered one of the largest camps in the world, housing thousands of IDPs who fled war in Syria and Iraq.
She added that she used to be under anxiety and fear in the camp, while she had to protect her children from the ideology there.
After years of hardship, al-Najm finally found relief two months ago when she was able to leave the camp and reunite with her remaining relatives. She moved into a rented house in her hometown, funded by a humanitarian organization. Yet, her struggles did not end there. Upon her return, she encountered a new set of challenges, with some neighbors casting suspicious glances, unsure of her past.
A new beginning
Al-Najm sought help from a local non-profit organization focused on reintegrating and rehabilitating those returning from Hawl Camp. She described her experience as transformative, particularly because the organization’s programs taught her sewing—a skill that not only empowered her but also helped her rebuild her life.
Gradually, Al-Najm is reclaiming a sense of normalcy, leaving behind the oppression and suffering she endured in the camp. With support from the same organization, she has launched a small clothing production business, which now provides a steady income. This new venture not only allows her to support herself and her family but also offers a path toward rebuilding her future.
Al-Najm envisions expanding her project in the near future, with hopes of bringing on several women to work alongside her—especially those who, like her, endured the hardships of Hawl Camp. She urged officials and international non-profits to prioritize the rehabilitation and support of camp returnees, emphasizing the need for greater assistance and care for those struggling to rebuild their lives.
Painful moments
Mansour al-Khalifa, a 28-year-old from the town of Baghuz in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, Syria, tragically lost his father and siblings in 2020 when a landmine, a deadly remnant of war, detonated shortly after the town’s liberation.
He shared his painful story with North Press, recounting how he lost three years of his life in Hawl Camp—years that he described as the hardest of his life. He likened the experience to being imprisoned, surrounded by the extremist ideologies of the Islamic State (ISIS), which made the camp feel like a suffocating jail.
Al-Khalifa spoke about the frustration and loss of hope that overwhelmed him during his time in the camp, as he lacked information about the necessary procedures for leaving. “I felt like I was trapped, not knowing how to escape this prison,” he said.
He explained that with the help of a tribal guarantee from a local elder in his town, he was finally able to secure his release from Hawl Camp. This came only after undergoing the rigorous security checks that are required for all those seeking to leave the camp.
Upon returning home, he felt as if he had been given a second chance at life. However, the reality of his situation quickly set in—he had no financial resources to support himself or rebuild his life, and his home had been stripped bare, leaving him with nothing to start over.
Training programs
Amidst these challenges, al-Khalifa says, “I joined a training program with a local organization, where I learned about vegetable cultivation and managing agricultural projects.”
He added that through his determination and strong will, he quickly excelled in the training and began investing in a small plot of land along the Euphrates River in his town. There, he successfully grew a variety of vegetables.
He now runs a small shop where he sells the vegetables he grows, and he has plans to expand his operation in the future to increase production and meet market demands.
He emphasized that despite his achievements, he continues to face hostility due to the lingering stereotypes associated with Hawl Camp and the extremist ideas of ISIS.
Life after return
Anoud al-Afr, a young woman from the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor who recently returned from Hawl Camp, shared that her life has remained difficult since her return, with ongoing challenges. To support her family and address their daily needs, she chose to acquire a new skill.
Like many other women in her situation, al-Afr sought out a local organization’s project designed to teach new skills and support returnees from Hawl Camp.
She told North Press that she decided to learn detergent production and quickly mastered the craft. With the organization’s support, she received the raw materials and equipment needed, allowing her to set up and operate her business from home.
Al-Afr began producing various types of detergents from home, selling them in her town. She explained that this venture has provided a steady income, enabling her to comfortably meet her family’s needs.
Despite her success, al-Afr remains deeply concerned about her own family and others impacted by the war. She urges the authorities to offer compensation for the homes that were lost and to provide comprehensive support to all families affected by their time in Hawl Camp.