UNHCR Eritrea - Resettlement programme for Somali refugee

Farah Dawd Mohamed, 22, is the oldest brother in a family of ten - one of the largest families leaving with a group of 43 refugees bound for resettlement to Australia departing on 24 June 2013. After living 11 years of his life in the Somali refugee camp of Umkulu, Farah is now ready to take the most important step of his life, which is going to change his future. On the evening of his departure, in the transit centre in Adi Guadad near Asmara, I met with Farah for the first time. He was so excited that he was lost for words; his eyes were shining, and his voice almost trembling. Surrounded by his family, and counting down his last hours of being a refugee, Farah shared his story with me. Born in Gedo Region Capital, Somalia, in 1991, Farah Dawd Mohamad, escaped war-torn Somalia at the age of 11 with his parents, grandparents, and siblings. It was the first time he had left home, but the devastating civil war and personal targeting of the family had left them no choice but to flee. Now, with a smile on his face he tells me that he would like to visit his hometown again if it is safe, to see the place where his earliest memories took place, and to see how many of those memories remain as he left them. Farah has lived in the Umkulu Refugee Camp for the last 11 years, approximately half his life, and during this time he has seen many changes in the camp and the life of his family. All six of his younger brothers were born in Umkulu, and as the oldest son, Farah has always felt the weight of responsibility. Life in the camp, has been difficult sometimes says Farah, especially during the hot season when the temperature and humidity is very high, everything becomes more difficult, even the most simple things continues Farah. For me and my family the camp has been a refuge, especially for my six brothers who have only known Umkulu, which they consider home. Although he has lived in Umkulu for so many of his adolescent years, Farah has always maintained hopes and dreams beyond the Farah`s family the largest families leaving with the 43 boundaries of the camp, thinking of continuing his studies abroad and refugees for resettlement finding employment in a rewarding field. For him, his future is clear: "I would like to finish my studies and become an UNHCR Staff" he says, smiling. With high hopes and the supreme optimism of youth, Farah looks forward to arriving in Australia and continuing his life in a place where he feels anything is possible, a place where he will gain immediate permanent residence and one day citizenship. Undaunted by the fact, that the only information he has on Australia was given during the Australian cultural orientation in the refugee camp, he will arrive and begin taking steps toward his future plans. Farahs story is also the story of many other refugees in this transit centre, and so too are his emotions the desire to learn and explore a new world, the hope of endless possibilities in a new life, and the bitter-sweet melancholy of leaving home on a new, exciting adventure, which will start after the arrival at the airport of Brisbane, Australia where Farah will lose his status as a refugee for good.
UNHCR Office in Eritrea Campo Polo Area, Meteten St. 1A754 House no.35, P.O.Box 1995, Asmara, Eritrea Monica Modici, Communication Intern modici@unhcr.org
Farah Dawd Mohamed, 22