Long before the UN Volunteer role, I was already doing volunteer work. I grew up volunteering—joining community initiatives, working with refugee-led organizations, and offering support where I could. In 2015, I became an interpreter for UNHCR. That experience opened my eyes. I saw what was happening behind the scenes in humanitarian response. I saw how systems worked—and sometimes, how they did not. I saw spaces where I could contribute more meaningfully. 

As a Refugee Status Determination Officer, I help people fleeing war, persecution, and violence find protection. I meet them at their most vulnerable, often just after they’ve crossed a border or survived a life-threatening journey. My job is to hear their stories and help decide if they qualify for refugee status. In simple terms, I help them access safety through the law.I have worked in Ethiopia and now in Somalia. 

The political transition in Syria, which started in December 2024, presents a historic opportunity today—promoting justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace. During my recent mission to Damascus, I couldn’t help but think of the millions of Syrians who crossed in the opposite direction over the last decade, forced to leave their homes in search of safety and dignity. And today, a shift gradually unfolds. Signs of cautious political stability, and with it, new opportunities for return, for recovery, and hope.