For those watching the news in the West, ISIS was two years ago. For Iraqi refugees in Jordan, it was this morning. Time can seem like it is truncated when events continue to have an impact. Waking up in a crampedr room in Amman and not having enough food to eat - the reason for this is distant to us. However, for the refugees in our care, events of yesterday are ever present. above all, being a refugee is a prison sentence. It is a different world they never wished to visit. Enaam is one such refugee.
We continue to support 1,500 Iraqi Christian refugee families in Jordan. The people we are helping come from all walks of life. Contrary to media stereotypes, not all refugees are the same. Some are doctors, some are teachers, some have PhDs, and some speak several languages. They are resilient in many ways. Despite their differences, they all have one thing in common. They have all suffered unimaginable trauma.
We continue to support 1,500 Iraqi Christian refugee families in Jordan. The people we are helping come from all walks of life. Contrary to media stereotypes, not all refugees are the same. Some are doctors, some are teachers, some have PhDs, and some speak several languages. They are resilient in many ways. Despite their differences, they all have one thing in common. They have all suffered unimaginable trauma.
The effects of trauma on the refugees
In Jordan we have noticed an increased need for trauma counselling and healing among those we are helping. Most of their wounds are rooted in the past and continue to cause physical, emotional and mental distress. However, many face ongoing challenges and experience trauma in the present. Health problems, medical bills, unemployment, lack of education for their children, despair, and uncertainty about the future. These are probably the biggest daily concerns affecting the refugees we work with in Jordan.
Some saw ISIS kill people. In some cases, family members simply disappeared. Those who survived had their homes seized or destroyed and their belongings taken. ISIS did this with brutal efficiency. As a result, the refugees have nothing left. Consequently, the sum total of their life's work was subtracted in an instant. These extreme circumstances have caused much stress and trauma. Without the specialist support and resources to develop healthy coping mechanisms, the trauma never goes away; instead it squats over their lives.
How we are helping the refugees
Our front-line trauma work in Jordan is supported by our donors. Our trauma centre in Amman focuses on providing adults and children with counselling in order that they can process and live with the trauma they have experienced. The need to support those suffering from ongoing pain is ever present and the centre provides a safe place where healing and growth can happen. Art therapy, counselling sessions, empowerment and counter abuse workshops are led by an experienced trauma counsellor from a German charity which works in partnership with us.
We are very proud to have started this trauma centre and thank those who have supported it. We can see the profoundly positive effect it is having on the refugees in our care. If you would like to make a donation to the centre or any of our other projects, please see the giving options below.
Supporting our work in Iraq
To support our work in Iraq and Jordan helping displaced and persecuted Christians and other minorities, please make a donation now via our donate page (there are numerous options for how to donate). Or you can send us a cheque made out to 'Mosaic Middle East' to: Mosaic Middle East, PO Box 229, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 9DL, United Kingdom. To support our future work, please consider leaving a legacy (more info here). Thank you.
