PORTUGAL / SYRIAN REFUGEE FAMILY RESTAURANT

In 2012, Fatima fled their hometown Damascus after her husband was killed by regime forces. Now she and her two sons and daughters live in a suburb of Lisbon and they are part of an initiative set up with Portuguese friends; Lisbon’s first Syrian restaurant. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:23
• Production Date: 27 April 2017
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: EMPLOYMENT; FOOD; REFUGEE PROTECTION; REFUGEES; RESETTLEMENT
• Geographic Subject: PORTUGAL; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 1876870
• Parent Id: 1876870
• Alternate Title: unifeed170427d

Description

STORY: PORTUGAL / SYRIAN REFUGEE FAMILY RESTAURANT
TRT: 01:23
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / PORTUGUESE / NATS

DATELINE: 18 MARCH 2017, LISBON, PORTUGAL

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Fatima, her son and daughter preparing food in the kitchen
2. Various shots, Fatima and her daughters preparing food
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fatima, Syrian Refugee:
“We found that the Portuguese really liked our cooking and now it is the way that we communicate with them.”
4. Various shots, preparing food
5. Various shots, Lisbon neighbourhood
6. Various shots, women cooking
7. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Rita, Founder, Mezze Restaurant:
“Meze is a project for Middle Eastern food, by which we use the food of the region as a way of integrating refugees.”
8. Various shots, food
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fatima, Syrian Refugee:
“I hope that our restaurant will be a success.”
10. Various shots, food and family and guests together

Storyline

In 2012, Fatima fled their hometown Damascus after her husband was killed by regime forces. Unable to cross into Jordan with her two sons and daughters, the family went to Cairo, where they lived for three years, with the help of local Islamic charities. Fatima and her daughters did odd jobs sewing to top up their earnings and got by on food vouchers. But as political tensions worsened in Egypt, Fatima realised that her situation as a Syrian refugee, was precarious.

In 2015, Fatima heard about the refugee resettlement programme to Europe. She saw it is the only way forward for her family. Now she and her two sons and daughters live in a suburb of Lisbon.

Cooking has been the key to their integration.

They were introduced to a group of Portuguese entrepreneurs who decided to set up the project Păo Păo, to help integrate refugees by using their skills. In Fatima’s case, this was her delicious cooking.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fatima, Syrian Refugee:
“We found that the Portuguese really liked our cooking and now it is the way that we communicate with them.”

Now they are part of an initiative set up with Portuguese friends; Lisbon’s first Syrian restaurant, and all the cooking will be done by refugees.

So far they have raised €15,000 and next month they hope their restaurant Mezze, will open. It will be a chance for Fatima to show off her culinary skills to a wider audience, whilst also providing her and her daughters with a regular income.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Rita, Founder, Mezze Restaurant:
“Meze is a project for Middle Eastern food, by which we use the food of the region as a way of integrating refugees.”

Mezze will employ Fatima and her daughters, so they can continue cooking together, as a family.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fatima, Syrian Refugee:
“I hope that our restaurant will be a success.”

In the meantime, Fatima and her family will continue to share Syrian dishes with their friends.