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Syria - The story of a five-year-old girl

"Hello, I am the father of the child (M.K), aged 50. I fled to the Kafr Yahmol camps with my family of 6 from the Jandiras area after our home was destroyed due to an earthquake. My 5-year-old daughter has a moderate mental disability that has rendered her unable to walk since birth. She also suffers from a health issue, being unable to chew food. During the collapse of our home, she lost her wheelchair, and it was extremely difficult for me to get her out of the house during the earthquake. This situation caused extreme sadness and fear for my daughter, as she became incapable of performing her daily activities, playing with her siblings, and unable to leave the tent."

"I learned through the local medical center about the presence of a support center run by the Sindh organization for earthquake-affected individuals with disabilities. I visited the Case Management team at the center and informed them about my daughter's situation and her struggles after the earthquake, including losing her wheelchair. I expressed her shock and fear due to the uncertainty of getting help and securing her essential needs. Additionally, I lost my job after the earthquake and did not receive any support or assistance.

The Case Management team reached out to us to visit my daughter, conducted an assessment of her situation, and worked comprehensively with her, addressing various challenges. They secured a wheelchair for her to assist in her daily activities, which she used to perform before losing it. Furthermore, they provided a food basket for the family and a blender to help my daughter consume her favorite foods.

Through an internal referral to the Cash Assistance department, I managed to secure the rest of my daughter's essential needs. Moreover, my daughter was enrolled in rehabilitation and training sessions within the organization's center. This significantly increased her interaction with her siblings in the tent and other children."

"Currently, my daughter (M.K) is doing much better than before, and I feel a great sense of psychological relief after securing her essential needs amidst the harsh social and financial circumstances. There's immense joy in my daughter and our family because she can now engage in all her activities and even visit her friends in the camp."