13 years of armed violence have devastated Syria

How to rebuild your life when everything is destroyed around you? Qais Al Hmeidi, 44, father of 3, just came bacl to his village that he had to flee during the war. He shared his story with us.

Qais at his home with his chidren | © Noor Bimbashi / HI

Displaced four times

I am the father of three children. Since 2012, we have been displaced four times in Syria. First, we fled to Um Hassan Village, about twelve kilometres away. Later, after the bombing grew worse in 2017, we moved again to Al Huraji. Each time, we hoped for safety, but displacement only brought more hardship.

This is our family house, and despite everything, we decided to return. I came first a few months ago, risking my life to check whether the house was still standing, before bringing my family back. The house now has no windows, no doors, no privacy. We are rebuilding slowly, with whatever resources we find. But the greatest danger here are the landmines and explosive remnants that are scattered all around us.

The importance of risk education

Every day, we hear about new injuries: Children, women, and men being killed or maimed. My own niece, while herding sheep, stepped on an explosive and lost her leg. These tragedies never end.

We are thankful to Humanity & Inclusion (HI) for the risk education sessions they provided here. They are helpful. This village was once on the frontline. Everyone - children, parents, and farmers - needs to understand the dangers that surround us. Risk education must be expanded until clearance teams arrive. Only then can we protect ourselves and our children.

“We need land to be cleared”

We need medical facilities or at least mobile clinics to visit us, especially to vaccinate our children and treat people who are sick. We need schools for our children - the Directorate of Education is trying to open one this semester, and we are waiting with hope.

But above all, we need the land to be cleared. Without clearance, we cannot farm, we cannot move freely, and we cannot rebuild our lives.

My children want to play outside, but I cannot let them. They are confined inside, bored and restless, while the fields we want to crop remain deadly. What we ask for is simple: clear the land, expand risk education, and give us the chance to live in safety again.

Date published: 28/10/25