February 21, 2022
News
Fadhel Hassan Hussain is a 31-year-old electrician and construction worker from Kale Khan in Sinjar district, Ninewa governorate. When ISIS took over Sinjar in 2014, Fadhel and his family were forced to flee to Duhok Governorate, where they struggled to find a place to live. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, Fadhel’s family was able to upgrade their latrines and now can lead a more dignified life.
Fadhel's life before and after displacement
Fadhel is married and has two children, a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, he could not complete his education because he had to work while growing up to support his family. He lived with his large family in an unfinished house. When he got married, and the home became too crowded, Fadhel built a small mudroom with a kitchen and shower next to his father's house.
In his adult life, Fadhel became a skilled worker in the electricity and construction sectors in Sinjar where he had been working for several years to provide for his new family. However, due to the heavy work, Fadhel is now suffering from back pain and is unable to work as he used to.
Fadhel had neck surgery two years ago, rendering him unable to work in his field, so he began working in a small truck selling beans on the street. Now that he is working outside, he is suffering from health issues. Fadhel's work is also seasonal, so he is not financially secure.
Fadhel said that when he was in Sinjar and before he became sick, he had a monthly income of 450 USD, but now earns less than a quarter of that amount.
“We frequently found snakes inside the toilet. Now we finally feel safe”
Fadhel's family also suffered greatly because of the conflict. They were forced to leave their home and were displaced to Duhok, where they could not find a place to live. They discovered an unfinished building in an old Sharia village in the Summel district of Duhok. The building was important for them to have shelter over their heads, but it lacked the elements of a decent and dignified home. Such as a safe latrine.
"I was overjoyed when I heard that Caritas Czech Republic would upgrade our latrines because we had a latrine covered with some fabrics, without a door, lock, or ceiling, and my family frequently found snakes inside the toilet, so it was very unsafe and dangerous," said Fadhel.
"Caritas Czech Republic saved our lives,” adds Fadhel and hopes that his family will also get a chance to repair the other rooms, such as the kitchen and living room.
Caritas Czech Republic will shortly provide Fadhel's family with sealing-off kits to assist him in rehabilitating the rest of his home.
The project is funded by Secours Catholique - Caritas France and implemented by Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq.
