Mohammed Hamza, 28, graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Aleppo University and in 2012 he applied to join a Masters in economics at London School of Business and Finance. His dream came to a halt when he was caught up in Syria’s crisis on his way to the airport:“Due to the crisis I could not go back to Aleppo and I was stuck in the eastern part of the Ghouta/Damascus suburbs.“The whole district came under siege and was bombarded by explosive barrels. For 18 months there was nothing to eat but whatever crumbs were left on the street.“Out of starvation people had no other alternative but to eat leaves and grass – whatever nature could provide. The prices of food and basic items were rising by the minute. Food became so expensive that 1kg of flour cost US $30 and 1kg of sugar reached $25.“After two years of starvation, agony and the fear of death falling on me, I managed to get back into a suburb of Aleppo. It was there I started working in humanitarian aid.“After my long journey I felt it was my duty to do whatever I could to help the people who need it and reduce their suffering. I started working for Islamic Relief as a field monitor officer for Aleppo and Edlib suburbs.
