Leaving Home, Chasing Hope: A Father’s Journey from Syria to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – For Mahir, a 40-year-old father of four from Damascus, the path to safety for his family has been long and challenging. The conflict in Syria forced him to flee his homeland, leaving everything behind in 2013.  In those 10+ years since leaving his homeland, Mahir has faced many obstacles but clings to an unwavering determination of building a brighter future for his family.

Mahir was once the proud owner of a successful tourism agency in Damascus, a business he built with passion and expertise. “Tourism was not just my livelihood – it was my pride,” he reflects. As the conflict began to unravel everything changed and the tourism industry collapsed. “In those first years, I held onto hope, but soon, there was no work, no future. I had to make the hardest decision of my life – to leave my home.”

Mahir’s journey with his wife and their two daughters, initially led them to Lebanon before they moved on and found safety in Türkiye, where the family welcomed the addition of two more children. Although Türkiye initially provided the stability they had craved for, the rising cost of living over time made their stay increasingly challenging. “At first, we were treated kindly,” he remembers, but Mahir felt that living in Türkiye was no longer viable, so they made the tough decision to leave.

Their onward journey brought them through Bulgaria and the Western Balkans, before reaching a temporary reception centre in Ušivak, just outside Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they have been living for the past three months.

The centre, co-managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, provides specialized services, including shelter, food, and access to essential supports. It also offers opportunities for recreational and educational activities, helping Mahir’s family cope during their stay.

He dreams of a future where his children can attend school full-time basis, recognizing that, “Education is the most important gift I can give them - it is what will secure their future.”

“Such support is crucial in helping families navigate the challenges of migration, ensuring dignity, protection, and well-being, while also laying the groundwork for more sustainable solutions that can empower individuals as they continue their journey”, noted Michael O’Mahony, Chief of Mission at IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although Mahir believes that he is doing his best to create a better future for his children, the pain of losing almost everything he had worked so hard for in Syria still lingers. During his stay in Ušivak, Mahir received the devastating news that 40 of his relatives in Syria, including his father-in-law and brother perished in prison. For years, they had held on to faint hope that their loved ones were still alive, “We lived with hope, only for it to turn into dust,” Mahir shares.

Despite the ever-present pain of losing loved ones, Mahir clings on to his dream of building a stable life for his family in Europe. His background in tourism may not offer immediate opportunities, but he is prepared to take on any job that enables him to support his children. “What matters the most to me is dignity and ensuring my family has a future, hoping that one day we can return to our home,” he says.

Mahir’s story is not unique – it reflects the challenges faced by numerous families on the move. It underscores the critical need for collective action to save lives and provide support along migration routes. By focusing on immediate assistance and advocating for lasting, sustainable solutions, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) strives to ensure dignity and safety for people on the move.