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At just 24 years old, Layla Najim has lived through more hardship than most experience in a lifetime. Once a young girl in a stable and loving home in Baiji, Salah al-Din, she never imagined that war would tear her world apart.
When ISIL swept through her town, life as she knew it disappeared overnight. Displacement followed, forcing her to leave behind her childhood, her education, and the security of home.
Seeking refuge in Syria’s Al-Hol camp, and later Al-Jadaa camp in Iraq, Layla faced years of hardship, fear, and uncertainty. She was still just a teenager when circumstances led her into an early marriage, a decision meant to protect her but which only brought more suffering. Instead of finding safety, she endured mistreatment, isolation, and the crushing weight of hopelessness.
By the time she finally returned home in 2018, the town she once knew had changed, and so had she. There was no support waiting for her—no government assistance, no NGOs to help her rebuild.
She had to start over, but she had no idea how.
A New Beginning Through the CRRISA Programme
Just when Layla feared she had been forgotten, an opportunity came her way—the Crisis Response and Resilience in Iraq for Sustainable Advancement (CRRISA) programme, implemented by UNDP Iraq in partnership with World Vision. It was the first initiative that truly extended a helping hand, offering her not just a way to survive, but a way to heal, grow, and regain control of her life.
Through CRRISA’s vocational training and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities, Layla found something she hadn’t felt in years—hope.
She enrolled in a painting and interior decoration course, learning how to mix colors, choose decorations, and create beautiful spaces. With each brushstroke, she painted not just walls, but a new future for herself. It was more than just a skill; it was an opportunity to earn a livelihood, to prove to herself and others that she could rebuild.
But the real transformation wasn’t just in her skills—it was in her mind and heart.
Healing Through Support and Connection
Years of displacement and hardship had left Layla burdened with stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. The psychosocial support sessions, provided through World Vision as part of the CRRISA Programme, gave her a safe space to share her fears and struggles.
For the first time, she spoke openly about the pain of her past. The group activities connected her with others who had been through similar experiences, and suddenly, she wasn’t alone anymore. The weight of isolation lifted as she formed friendships and found strength in community.
"The support I received changed me," Layla says. "I feel lighter, stronger. I’m not afraid to speak, to dream, to move forward."
With time, she started to see herself differently. No longer just a survivor of war and displacement, she became a businesswoman in training, an artist, and a person with a future worth fighting for.
Breaking Barriers and Building a Future
Layla’s participation in CRRISA did more than just change her—it changed the way her family and community saw her.
At first, some doubted her ability to succeed. But as she honed her craft and became more confident, her family began to support her dreams. They encouraged her to complete her studies, something she never thought possible before.
Even her community’s perception of returnees like her began to shift. Where people once saw victims of war, they now saw resilience, talent, and potential. Layla became proof that reintegration was possible, that with the right support, people could rebuild their lives with dignity.
Dreaming Beyond Survival
Today, Layla is not just rebuilding—she’s dreaming.
Her goal is to open her own interior decoration business, using her newfound skills to support herself and her family. She envisions a life of stability, financial independence, and creativity.
"I want to keep growing, keep learning. I want to prove to myself that I can build something of my own," she says with determination.
Beyond her personal ambitions, she hopes for a future where more young women like her have opportunities to learn, heal, and thrive. She dreams of a peaceful Iraq where displacement and hardship are replaced by security and hope.
A Testament to the Power of Support
Layla’s journey is just one of many, but it is a powerful reminder of what is possible when people are given a chance.
The CRRISA Programme, implemented by UNDP Iraq in partnership with World Vision, is doing more than just offering training and support—it’s restoring dignity, empowering individuals, and rebuilding communities from the ground up.
For Layla, CRRISA didn’t just teach her a skill. It gave her back her future.
