First Person: Syrian migrant shipwreck survivor vows to reconstruct shattered country

After the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Ms. Al Zamel and her family relocated to Egypt. She stayed there with her family for three years but the situation for refugees deteriorated and, in 2014, she and her Syrian fiancé paid smugglers to take them to Europe.

During the journey their boat was rammed by traffickers, causing 500 people to drown, including her fiancé. After four days at sea, she was saved by a merchant vessel, along with two small children she had been holding the whole time (one of them, a nine-month old called Malak, died five hours after they were rescued).

Speaking to UN News, Ms. Al Zamel, currently based in Sweden, recounts the perilous journey from Egypt to Europe and reflects on the ongoing struggle for peace, safety and a better future for Syria, post-Assad.

‘How can they kill 500 people?’

“We made three attempts to leave Egypt by sea. The first two times we failed and, each time, we were imprisoned for 10 days. On the third try, we left from the coast of Alexandria.

The last boat we boarded was in very bad conditions [the migrants were transferred several times to different boats during the journey]. Another ship arrived, with people who looked like pirates, cursing and insulting us. They sank our boat and fled laughing.

To this day, the sound of their laughter is still in my ears, and I can’t forget it. Most of those on board drowned. How could they kill 500 people, including children, women, families and young people?

I had a small flotation device around my waist, and I was afraid because I couldn’t swim. I carried two small girls on my chest for four days. Their family members gave them to me before they drowned. I had to stay awake, without food or water. It was cold and dead bodies were around me. The only light I could see was the stars in the sky. Pain and death surrounded me everywhere.

A lack of options

After I was saved and taken to Europe, I heard that many people, including some who were close to me, wanted to make the same trip. I didn’t agree with this, but I understood their reasons. They are forced to do so because there are no other options.

I had to go through this dangerous journey for my family. I wanted them to live in better and safer conditions. I wanted my younger siblings to study and live safely away from the difficult conditions we experienced in Egypt, where life was difficult, and we did not have many opportunities.

We were able to learn Swedish and I am now studying English. I worked as a teacher’s assistant for six years and my little brother is now about to start his university studies. I have had some very good experiences and worked with good people who love Syrians.

Currently, I participate in conferences with several organizations affiliated with universities, schools or volunteer agencies. I talk about self-motivation and how one must overcome difficulties after going through a difficult ordeal. I talk about Syrian refugees and refugees’ rights.

‘Syrians deserve to live in safety and achieve their dreams’

When I heard the news [of Assad’s fall] it was like a dream for me and the many Syrians who have suffered. I cried my heart out. It was an indescribable feeling, something like a dream.

I want to speak out about the pain and voices of mothers who lost their children because of Bashar al-Assad’s tyranny. After the liberation, it is necessary to imagine a future full of opportunities, positive changes, peace and security because all Syrians deserve to live in freedom.

Syria needs a lot of help to rebuild and erase the destruction. Whether I remain here, in Sweden, or return, I want to contribute to its reconstruction so that we can all have peace and security.

Syrians deserve to live in safety and achieve their dreams. We all can contribute in some way, to support the community, participate in development projects and raise awareness.”