From Syria to Ukraine. The story of one family

03.04.2017

From Syria to Ukraine. The story of one family

Over the last three years in Ukraine is already familiar, unfortunately, were the stories of people who were forced to leave their home. Refugees, displaced or officially internally displaced persons - the name does not change trouble, no matter Crimea or Donbass. There are those who came to Ukraine from Syria.

Unlike the EU, the issue of refugees, including Syria, Ukraine has no active discussion. Only last November, this problem gained some popularity and political overtones. Then actively rumors about alleged necessity of adopting Ukrainian government decision on acceptance of Syrian immigrants from Europe for a positive decision on visa-free cherished. This decision was taken as there was no flow of Arab refugees to Ukraine.

The current Syrian diaspora in this country has no more than a thousand people. And the number of quotas for the admission of immigrants to Ukraine (not only from Syria and around the world) is gradually reduced. Thus, in 2015, Cabinet established a limit amounted to 6.2 thousand. People a year, and in 2016 - already 4.6 thousand.

We were able to communicate with his family who recently moved to Kyiv. Olga and Mohammed (upon request names changed) came from Idlib, a city near the border with Turkey, which now may actually be under the crossfire of the Syrian-Russian Aviation and Turkish troops. Olga was born in Zaporozhye region, graduated from Kyiv University of Physical Education and Sport, which met her future husband. After some time in Kiev are together they moved to Syria. There she was able to achieve quite considerable success - to train Syrian Olympic team in gymnastics, her wards were successful in global arenas. A man after years of coaching in karate took charge of one of the sections on Sports under the Ministry of Education.

Syrian Civil War crossed hopes for a quiet life. After the fighting came to their provinces, it became clear that there remain too risky. In addition to military threats, the problems started with the work and with the money, the country was not the sport. Closed school leaving Syria physicians increased prices. After shelling often disappearing water and electricity. The situation worsened constantly and later the couple took a difficult decision - to leave the country. After some delays Olga and Mohamed could not use humanitarian flights, which organized the Ukrainian side. Because the family was forced to choose a more difficult route through neighboring Lebanon. Similar difficulties were not only in them. Not everyone could leave the Ukrainian Syria and now left alone with their problems. After all, in March 2016 the Embassy of Ukraine was temporarily evacuated to Lebanon, and may represent the interests of our citizens only by phone or Internet.

Their choice at first glance seems a bit strange. After a troubled Ukraine to escape from the fighting somewhat illogical. But much had no choice. Neighboring Muslim countries closed borders. Get, such as Emirates with Syrian passport impossible, even if there live people. Lebanon, where Syrian citizens do not need a visa to blew themselves only if booked in very precise and expensive hotels and proof of funds. Turkey hosted refugees for some time, but later refused asylum. His limit on the number of migrants and the EU established. However, older children learn spouses in Germany and could help to obtain refugee status in Europe.

However, the family decided to return to his native Ukraine for Olga. In the accident was the Ukrainian citizenship, which she left. After all that happened to see and experience, they are not scared and ATO in Donbas. Now Olga has already started coaching activities in one of the capital's sports schools. Do not forget it and their Syrian athletes. Despite the shelling, its former wards still continue to independently engage and communicate with it over the Internet. According to the trainer, so people are trying to escape from the horrors of war, and at least for a short time to return to normal life. Mohammed Ukraine, particularly Kyiv are also not strangers - in the 90 years he lived here for 8 years before returning to Syria. Helps him and knowledge of Russian. Now he also applied for obtaining Ukrainian citizenship and attempts to establish a new life. He fundamentally does not want to be a refugee, living on sotsdopomohu instead wants to become a full citizen, to work and earn money. While finding a job he still problematic.

Considerable importance in choosing the country of residence and have artificially created anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments that are now quite common in the EU. Meanwhile, in Kiev, the couple feels safe. In stores or transport Kiev treat them normally, even knowing where they came. Respect for other ethnic groups and foreigners, sincerity and hospitality - these are the main features inherent in modern Ukrainian, said Mohamed. In this regard, in his opinion, the country has made a big step forward compared with Soviet times. He sees no problems related to religion, although predominantly Orthodox Ukraine Muslims still have some exotic.

Among the issues still design custody little boy Suleiman, whose wife could take with them. This is a nephew of Mohammed, his parents and older sister were killed during the bombing together. On that fateful day Suleiman unknown reasons, refused to go for a walk with his parents and stayed at home in the family, and that he saved. Now raising a child Olga and Mohamed. Suleiman was before them for a son, and now it has become official. Even when there was in Damascus Ukrainian embassy, ??the guy got the citizenship of Ukraine and guardianship papers. The diplomats who worked in Syria while well aware of the specific situation, as registration certificates was as fast. But on arrival in Lebanon, local consuls took issued documents explaining errors in the application procedure. With the return to Ukraine of problems increased. In local officials have any questions regarding custody documents issued by the Syrian Sharia court in Damascus. Now the Ukrainian party refuses to recognize. For the proper execution of the necessary documents and information, some of which Syria is simply not given to the same number of Syrian state institutions just been destroyed during the war. While continuing bureaucratic battles, the boy gradually recovering from the stress of fighting reality. After experiencing the horror of a long long time, he hardly spoke badly slept storonyvsya people. To bring it back to normal, Suleiman worked with a team of specialists, psychologists, one of the capital's kindergartens. Now he is going to first grade, says Ukrainian poetry and has many friends in class. According to Olga, a teacher Suleiman always it helps further explain the material, and the children belong to the understanding of its features.

In addition to his special treatment, appreciate the "new" Ukrainian and that indigenous people seem so familiar and commonplace. Namely - Ukrainian mild climate, beautiful nature and high quality products. "God given too much. And we must protect this small, beautiful and native land "- sums Mohamed. These wishes - not just another manifestation of gratitude, but the real pain of a man who saw his conversion blossoming homeland in ruins.

While fighting continues in Syria and politicians try again to agree on a truce next new Ukrainian accustomed to life in the capital.

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