By listening to and understanding refugee stories in their own voices, we can cultivate empathy, foster understanding, and inspire action to support refugees worldwide.   

Shafiqa is part of the Relief International team as a Community Health Care Worker in Pakistan.

This is her story.

Can you share your journey as a refugee?

I was born in Afghanistan amidst a backdrop of chaos and conflict. At just one year old, my family was abruptly uprooted from our home in 1999. Fleeing the violence and uncertainty, we sought refuge across the border in Pakistan, carrying with us a few belongings and the weight of our hopes for a better future.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your journey as a refugee?

The biggest challenge we faced was the economic crisis. We lived in cramped housing, which was difficult consider there were four of us sisters and our parents. We were bright students with plenty of potential, but due to financial constraints, we couldn’t all pursue higher education.

What milestones are you most proud of since resettling?

I am proud of the educational journey I am on, having completed Intermediate FSc (Faculty of Science in Pre-Medical) so far. I am proud to be able to use this to make a difference in my community, promoting health education, particularly to girls and young women, and helping to increase healthcare access to mothers and children. It fills me with great pride to support the future health of my village.

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be? 

I would tell myself to never give up. Life can be challenging but within those challenges are opportunities for growth and learning. Instead of being defeated by struggles, use them to push through obstacles and strive for a better life.

This World Refugee Week, what message would you like to share with the world?

We are humans with dreams, wishes and emotions. Our lives have been uprooted, forcing us to leave behind everything we knew and loved. It is unimaginably hard but with the support and compassion of the global community, there is hope. We hold on to this hope of a better future, not just for ourselves, but for our children.

In your opinion, what is Relief International doing that brings you hope?

I’ve seen how the organization genuinely strives to understand and address the needs of the refugee community, not just in the short term. That’s why I stay involved – because I believe in the work we do together around the world. 

With 97% of Relief International staff and volunteers being local nationals, our work is often rooted in shared realities and lived experiences, meaning the work we do to help communities recover and rebuild from crisis comes from a place of experience, empathy and compassion.