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03

Rami

An artist works through the pain of conflict
In their words - RAMI

Before the Syrian crisis, Rami had a clear plan in mind:

to study, work hard, be successful, and find himself. Life seemed easy.

But now we’re forced to accept the reality and accept the only route we have. The crisis has changed our dreams and limited them.
Rami
Everything before those ten years has vanished. Everything you could have built on has collapsed. Those ten years have cancelled a big part of everyone’s life. It destroyed the place of our culture. It was difficult for anyone to build a new life in such harsh conditions. We have lost love and hope.
It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to his family, not knowing when he would see them again. Would he be able to return to his hometown? Everything was unknown.
It was just a black cloud. The war changed my life completely. I’ve changed where I live, my ambitions, and all my plans.
Rami
Losing one of his closest friends has had a profound effect on him. One day, Rami’s friend went missing. He didn’t hear from him for months but held out hope that he might return. A year later, Rami found out he had died. “It felt like losing him for a second time.”
“It is so hard to believe that you have lost a person so close to your heart, a person you cared for.”
Losing one of his closest friends has had a profound effect on him. One day, Rami’s friend went missing. He didn’t hear from him for months but held out hope that he might return. A year later, Rami found out he had died. “It felt like losing him for a second time.”
“It is so hard to believe that you have lost a person so close to your heart, a person you cared for.”
It is hard to get electricity or fresh water to drink. Now it's winter and we can’t get warm, so most of the time we're cold. I talk about those things with my family daily. There’s nothing left but misery.
“The psychological and emotional wounds are the hardest part,” he said. “And I've gone through many bad situations.”
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“I tried to get over them, but they left me with scars that will live with me for a lifetime.”
“I wish the world could see how Syria really is, which is very different from what social media shows,” said Rami. “Syria is the cradle of civilization, history and arts. Syria has real people. Now all you see is war, destruction and people in need."
“I wish the world could see how Syria really is, which is very different from what social media shows,” said Rami. “Syria is the cradle of civilization, history and arts. Syria has real people. Now all you see is war, destruction and people in need."
I am doing something I love. I’ve built a career related to my studies. But it won’t make me stay here. I need to continue my education. Eventually I will search for a chance to get out of this country. Five years from now I will not be here in Syria.
Rami
About ICRC
Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and employ over 20,000 people in more than 80 countries. The ICRC is funded mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Syria is the ICRC’s largest operation in the world. In cooperation with its local partner, the SARC, the ICRC assists communities with healthcare, mental health, economic security, water and habitat, as well as protection and prevention work. Visit our website to know more about our work in Syria and beyond.
The data featured on this website are based on a survey of 1,400 Syrians aged 18 to 25, of whom 800 live in Syria, 400 in Lebanon and 200 in Germany. The age range was chosen to represent individuals whose adolescence and early adulthood have been deeply marked by the conflict. The country locations were selected to ensure a variety of respondents in different situations.
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