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"I want my old life back."

A world of adversity and recovery in 2023

December 21^st, 2023

"I want my old life back." It’s a powerful reflection of how people feel when they’re in the thick of crisis, when unthinkable tragedy has struck. When their worlds are upside down.

We often look at recovery as a chance to build back better than before, and an important part of that is giving people the opportunity to regain what they have lost.

Because behind each crisis headline, where we read of millions uprooted or facing trauma or conflict, are the individual humans who just want to once again walk their children to school along safe roads, eat a warm meal, go shopping, laugh with friends, live free from fear and dread.

As we close 2023, we hear from people around the world who have faced tremendous adversity this year, and see how they're working, with UNDP support, to get back the most basic and also most precious right—that to a ‘normal’ life.

UNDP supports people not only to survive crisis, but to do so with dignity, free from want and fear, and with respect for their fundamental human rights. Photos: UNDP and Shutterstock

Gaza

“I used to have a quiet and a peaceful life. In a rented house, we gathered as a family. In a day and a night, I became a displaced mother with more responsibilities and unbearable burdens. I miss myself. I miss my old life.” –Nihad Abu Habel

Inside a UN shelter in Gaza. Nihad Abu Habel reminisces about the simple pleasures she once enjoyed and describes her life now as the war rages on.

Sudan

“Before the war, I had HIV treatment, counselling services and a sense of stability.” – Ibrahim*

War takes everything, and it takes the most from people who have the least, such as those who live with chronic medical conditions.

The war in Sudan has sent millions of people fleeing for their lives. For some, like Ibrahim, there is added danger and dread of not knowing when his next HIV treatment will be.

UNDP works with healthcare providers making sure Sudan’s most vulnerable patients get life affirming care, even in the eye of the crisis.

*Name changed to protect privacy

Ukraine

“I realized it was finally my chance.” – Anastasia Manoilo

War has been a daily reality in Ukraine since 2022, and it’s exacting a dreadful toll. But is hasn’t stopped Ukrainians from not just reclaiming their lives, but seizing opportunities that weren’t available before.

Anastasia Manoilo is smashing gender stereotypes with her bare hands and rebuilding her world brick by brick.

Afghanistan

“I am now the sole breadwinner of my family. I have gained economic independence.” – Tamana Akbari

The earthquakes that struck Herat Province in Afghanistan in October have left more than 100,000 people homeless, cold, hungry, and despairing of the future.

Single mother Tamana Akbari has gained back her confidence and found new friends through her job in one of the districts many community kitchens, which are serving much more than just hot meals.

Democratic Republic of Congo

“I just have to work hard to sell and get more customers.” – Kamba Tuakajika Denise

The long-running conflict in DR Congo has forced millions to flee. Families have lost lives, homes, and everything they know.

UNDP has no ‘forgotten’ crises. DR Congo may not be making the global news, but we are there, supporting women like Denise as she established and is now expanding her small soap-making business. Denise, who lost a young child due to malnutrition and poor medical care, is now able to feed and buy medicine for her children.

Türkiye

Powerful earthquakes struck Türkiye and Syria in February, causing widespread destruction and disrupting people’s lives.

Meet the people sifting through the rubble and starting the long road to recovery to help people get their lives back on track.

Syria

“We decided to continue working here, despite the destruction.” – Shadi Hajar

The devastating earthquakes that struck in February compounded the struggles of a country already weary from a decade of war. Some 8.8 million Syrians were affected, with many losing their jobs and their homes almost instantly.

UNDP’s SURGE team visited Shadi Hajar in the centre of Aleppo’s historic district. Thanks to quick debris removal he was able to keep his business running and his employees paid.

Yemen

“The rugged route has had a serious impact on residents, resulting in tremendous problems.” – Ahmed Al-Shehri

Yemen’s citizens have suffered from more than seven years from a protracted conflict. Infrastructure has been one of the casualties. Al-Sirat Road, in the remote Kushar district, was also known as “Death Road”.

Unsafe and unmaintained, it not only killed people, it drove up commodity prices and made life so difficult that some residents were forced to leave the district.

A new road has been a life-changer for Ahmed and his neighbours, allowing them to safely go about their business and to more easily reach healthcare facilities. It has even lowered the cost of living.

Myanmar

“I have become jobless as the tailor shop I used to work in was destroyed by the cyclone. The building collapsed to the ground.” – Ma Mya Win

Cyclone Mocha tore through Myanmar in May causing widespread destruction and harm to an already vulnerable population.

Ma Mya Win, who had fled fighting to a camp in Sittwe in 2019, was able to bridge the gap in her income with a job in UNDP’s debris clearance programme.

Pakistan

“I’ll use the money to buy seeds and crops to sustain our agriculture, which is crucial to our family’s survival.” – Shama Sindh

Pakistanis are still struggling to recover from the devastating floods which ravaged the country in 2022.

Homes, crops and livestock were swept away, and when the rain stopped, a third of the country’s land was under water. Millions of families were left without incomes and little or no lifelines.

Dignified employment underpins UNDP’s response . It gives Pakistanis the means to help themselves, support their families and have hope for the future.

Libya

“We heard what sounded like an explosion at 2 a.m.” – Adel

More than 4,300 were killed in the floods that swept through eastern Libya in September, twice that number are unaccounted for, and 40,000 people have been displaced.

UNDP is working with Libyan families who have lost everything, using the latest satellite technology to assess the scale of the damage, and removing debris so that rebuilding can start.