When Return Becomes a Step Forward: Haider’s Story from Al-Qahtaniyah

After years of displacement, residents have gradually begun returning to the town of Al-Qahtaniyah in northern Iraq. Among them is Haider, a young man who chose to come back and work toward a new beginning. Haider didn’t return to dwell on the past, but came with a small business idea in mind: opening a clothing shop. With support from the project “Reintegration of Returnees by Integrating Social Cohesion and Economic Development in Northern Iraq (Sinjar and Ba’aj),” he was able to turn that idea into reality. The project provided him with essential materials and technical guidance, helping him launch his business with confidence. Today, his shop is not only a source of income but also a meaningful step toward stability and self-reliance. Haider says: "This opportunity helped me regain my self-confidence and encouraged me to start over within my community." Haider’s story is a practical example of the importance of supporting returnees — not just by providing resources, but by investing in their potential and giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives within their communities.