A story of struggle and determination: Farah rebuilds her life

November 9, 2025

Farah Mohammed, a 37-year-old woman displaced from Salah al-Din, recounts a long journey of suffering and pain that ultimately led to her demonstrating remarkable willpower and determination to reclaim her life. Forced to flee her city during ISIS's control, she moved between Al-Hol refugee camp and then Al-Amal camp, before finally settling in Kirkuk.

A Gateway Back to Life

Farah faced significant, interconnected challenges that impacted every aspect of her life. These ranged from material difficulties, such as scarce job opportunities and a high cost of living, to profound social and livelihood setbacks—including the complete destruction of her home and the collapse of the life her family had built over many years.

A further critical challenge was the lack of official identity documents for her two teenage daughters, which deprived them of access to formal education and other essential services.

The issue of obtaining national IDs remains a major challenge in Iraq—particularly for families who were displaced by conflict. Without proper identification, many people are unable to access essential public services such as healthcare, education, and social support. This not only deepens their vulnerability but also slows down their reintegration into the communities they once called home.

Farah shares her experience:

She says: "My daughters received only basic education in the camp, and I am now working with a lawyer to resolve their identity issue. I hope I can obtain them so my daughters can live their lives properly, the training and the grant had helped us a lot in working to rebuild our lives."

UNDP's support was instrumental in helping Farah overcome the immense challenges in her path. By providing critical training in reintegration and social inclusion and facilitating a stable job opportunity, it empowered her to secure a dignified and self-reliant life.

The ID card is a pivotal and indispensable document for an Iraqi citizen. It is the official proof of identity and belonging. Without it, individuals cannot claim their basic rights or complete most formal transactions. It is also a fundamental requirement for accessing health and educational services, essential for finalizing financial transactions, activating bank accounts, alongside its vital role in organizing and registering marriages and births.

Its absence not only means deprivation of an individual's rights but also leads to their marginalization and exclusion, hindering the overall development of society. Therefore, the programme seeks to address these challenges and barriers to ensure that returnees from camps can obtain the necessary government documents that facilitate their reintegration. This effort forms part of the programme’s broader objective of creating an enabling environment for return, reintegration, and reconciliation, while facilitating the dignified return of displaced persons and fostering conditions conducive to sustainable reintegration and social cohesion.

A Turning Point and Integration

The turning point in Farah's life came when she joined a training program implemented by UNDP's social cohesion programme.

Farah says: "I benefited greatly from the training on community integration and the process of returning to a normal life." When offered the opportunity to join a business development training, she immediately agreed and showed great commitment, despite being responsible for a family facing life's hardships. Her neighbors even provided financial support to help cover her living costs during the training period to ensure her regular attendance.

Building a New Future and Financial Independence

After completing the training, Farah received a financial grant to start her small business, a sewing and retail shop. Through this shop, she built relationships with tailors, suppliers, and customers and began relying on herself, earning a monthly income estimated at about 400,000 Iraqi dinars. Farah also manages her money wisely, spending about 150,000 Iraqi dinars on rent, electricity, and internet, and investing the remaining amount in buying new stock and essential household expenses. Most importantly, she now helps neighbors facing financial difficulties through flexible payment plans when they buy from her business.

Despite the ongoing challenges in obtaining official documents, Farah has built a respected social standing. Women and individuals in the neighborhood seek her advice, even describing her as "like the Mukhtar." Her story highlights how combining vocational training, livelihood grants, and community support empowers vulnerable women to regain stability, dignity, and self-reliance after displacement.

A Successful Project and Ongoing Ambition

With support from UNDP's social cohesion programme and Human Relief Foundation, Farah launched her business from her small home in the area, selling women's clothing, cosmetics, hygiene products, shoes, and stationery. Farah now aspires to expand further, saying:

"I dream of increasing the goods and expanding my activity. I have regular customers in the area, and I aspire to increase the scale of my business as well."

Farah is a living example of a woman who transformed challenges into opportunities, creating a source of strength and independence from her difficult circumstances, always believing in the power of her will and her potential for success. Her story highlights the importance of supporting sustainable development programs aimed at integrating vulnerable women and rebuilding their capacities, affirming that challenges can be overcome with determination, perseverance, and the right support.

About Project

The Community Reconciliation and Reintegration of Iraqis returning from Syria's Al Hol camp (CRRISA) project supports the efforts of the Iraqi government to meet the reintegration and reconciliation needs of returnees from al-Hol camp and the most vulnerable members of the host community. The project provides socio-economic support, mental[SM1] health and psychosocial services, and community-based peacebuilding activities, while also engaging with government counterparts to strengthen national mechanisms for reconciliation and sustainable reintegration

This story demonstrates the sustainability of the livelihood outcomes achieved under the CRRISA project, with generous support from the Government of United States, EU, Italy, Sida, and the Netherlands. Farah's business continues to operate successfully and grow independently, reflecting the lasting impact of the support provided.

To date, 4,738 beneficiaries have been engaged in socio-economic interventions, including the provision of vocational toolkits and grants for small businesses.

[*] Name changed for safety and privacy