In August 2014, the Islamic State (ISIS) swept through northern Iraq, forcing millions to flee and decimating half the country’s infrastructure. The toll on the Yazidi people of the Sinjar region was catastrophic. Over 10,000 Yazidis were killed or abducted in a campaign of systematic executions, sexual enslavement, and mass displacement. The landscape was fractured; the community shattered.
But amid the lingering devastation, stories of resilience are unfolding. Through the UN Peacebuilding Fund-supported Advancing Peace and Stability in Sinjar initiative, three women are finding their way back. They aren't just starting over—they are rebuilding their lives, their families, and the fabric of their communities.
Photo above: Vian Mirza at her farm in Sinja. Credit: UNDP Iraq
Vian: Starting over for her children
For 29-year-old Vian Mirza, returning to Sinjar in 2021 brought a different kind of heartbreak. The single mother of two came home to find her family’s agricultural land completely barren from a prolonged drought. With her connection to the land severed and her sole source of income gone, she was left starting from zero.
Through the peacebuilding initiative, Vian received training in modern, climate-smart agriculture and business management, paired with the mental health support she needed to cope with the intersecting hardships of war and environmental loss.
Vian Mirza Jundi, 29greenhouse farmerI thought returning to my normal life would be impossible, but this project gave me hope again and showed me that I could start over for the sake of my children."
Growing roots, rebuilding lives
With backing, Vian built a fully equipped modern greenhouse with an irrigation system. Today, she is a thriving farmer cultivating seasonal fruits. By reclaiming her land, she hasn't just secured her family's future—she is helping to anchor her recovering community.
Sajida: Coming back to life
When 34-year-old Sajida Nimr finally returned to Sinjar in 2022, she carried the grief of losing a family member and the exhaustion of eight years in displacement. At home, she faced a harsh reality: living with a physical disability in an area with little economic opportunity. Isolated and unable to find work, she worried deeply about her children's future.
For Sajida, the turning point was a programme under the peacebuilding initiative that treated emotional recovery and economic independence as two sides of the same coin. She received counseling to help rebuild her confidence alongside hands-on training in mobile phone repair.
Sajida Nimr Farhan, 34mobile phone repair shop ownerI used to feel completely helpless because of my disability, but the training and psychosocial support brought me back to life. Today I have my own business and depend on myself, something I never imagined possible."
Emotional recovery, economic independence
Supported by a business grant, Sajida opened a repair and accessories shop. Now working alongside her husband, she brings in a steady, independent income. Her journey shows how the right tools can help a family move beyond relying on aid, laying a foundation for lasting stability.
Kani: Reclaiming her strength
Thirty-year-old Kani Haji Hassan was abducted during the 2014 attacks. Even after surviving captivity and returning home, the nightmare didn't end for Kani. Haunted by memories and trapped in a state of constant fear, Kani rarely left her home. Returning to a normal life felt impossible.
Healing meant addressing not just her livelihood, but the trauma she carried. Through the initiative, Kani joined counseling sessions to help process what she had survived. She also enrolled in electronics repair and business management courses. Slowly, the routine and the new skills began to pull her out of isolation.
Kani Haji Hassan, 30 electronics repair shop ownerI thought the fear would stay with me for the rest of my life. Now, I dream of growing my business day by day and helping other survivors feel the strength and independence that I feel."
A growing business, a new life
With a startup grant, Kani opened her own shop earlier this year. Today, she manages a growing business with a loyal local clientele, proving that when survivors are given the right support, they can break the cycle of fear and build independent futures.
Our partners in peacebuilding in Iraq
For 20 years, the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund has empowered people to rebuild their communities and countries in the aftermath of conflict and crisis, working with them to build the resilience needed to prevent the recurrence of violence and secure lasting peace.
In northern Iraq, the Advancing Peace and Stability in Sinjar peacebuilding initiative was implemented by the UN Development Programme and World Vision, with support from government partners and local organizations.
UN Peacebuilding initiatives are made possible by the generous contributions of Member States and the indispensable support of implementing partners.