LocationsMohammed's Journey: From Displacement to Professional Cooking
December 14, 2025
In the difficult days following ISIL's control, Mohammed Adnan (a 37-year-old) was forced to leave his hometown in Salah al-Din with his family, carrying nothing but hope for safety. His family moved between al-Hol camp and then Al Amal Camp, where they spent nearly three months in cramped tents, sharing dreams of return and new beginnings. Amid these challenging circumstances, Mohammed found a glimmer of hope when he married a girl he met in the camp, forming a family of his own.
A Return Full of Challenges
After the crisis ended, Mohammed and his family returned to their original area in Salah al-Din, but they faced a bitter and extremely difficult reality. The lack of job opportunities and high cost of living was not easy, especially with numerous challenges including the destruction of their home and their entire previous life in the area. After long deliberation, Mohammed made the difficult decision to move with his wife and three children to Kirkuk in search of better opportunities, while his parents and siblings remained in Salah al-Din.
A New Beginning Through Training
In Kirkuk, Mohammed did not surrender to challenges. Instead, he joined a training programme by the United Nations Development Programme's Social Cohesion programme in Iraq. Through this programme, he learned financial accounting skills for managing small projects and gained practical knowledge in project organization and effective marketing methods. Mohammed says: "The training opened new horizons for me and gave me the confidence to start my own project."
Unbounded Ambition
UNDP's support was instrumental in helping Mohammed overcome the immense challenges in his path. By providing business management training.
After successfully completing the training, Mohammed received a financial grant that enabled him to turn his dream into reality. With an interest and background in cooking, Mohammad opened a restaurant serving grilled and barbecued foods, such as kebab and Tikka, where he now serves the most delicious Iraqi dishes. Through his diligent efforts, he gained customers' trust and loyalty.
Mohammed continues to work on work on strengthening his business, today and dreams of expanding his business to reach various parts of Iraq. "This is only the beginning," Mohammed says in a tone filled with hope, "I aspire to become one of the most famous grill restaurants in the country."
Ongoing Challenges and Hope for the Future
Despite the success Mohammed achieves, he and his wife still face challenges related to identities and official documents. After a long struggle, Mohammed recently managed to certify his marriage contract that was conducted in the camp, and he is now striving to obtain identity documents for his children in preparation for their school enrollment when they reach the appropriate age.
The issue of obtaining national identity cards remains a significant challenge in Iraq, especially for families displaced due to conflict. Without official identification, many are unable to access basic public services such as healthcare, education, and social support. This not only exacerbates their vulnerability but also slows their integration into the communities that hosted them.
About the Project
This project is implemented through a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Social Cohesion programme in Iraq and the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, with generous support from the Government of United States, EU, Italy, Sida, and the Netherlands. Mohammed's business continues to operate successfully and grow independently, reflecting the lasting impact of the support provided.
The support for Mohammed comes within a broader project supporting the Iraqi government's efforts to reintegrate returnees from al-Hol camp and the most vulnerable members of the host community. The project provides social and economic support, mental health services, and community cohesion activities. To date, 4,738 beneficiaries have been trained in vocational and business development courses and provided with work tools or grants for small projects.
Mohammed's story represents an inspiring model of resilience and transformation, proving that strong will and appropriate support can turn challenges into opportunities, and displacement into a new beginning filled with hope and success.