Sometimes what look like the most ordinary items can make a world of difference to families undergoing the toughest of hardships.
While the European Union-funded Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) program has wide-ranging and comprehensive objectives - to help vulnerable refugee families cover their basic needs - the cash assistance provided has also helped bring some “small yet incredible” moments of joy to many families.
Tales abound of how things that most of us consider ordinary have meant the world to suffering families. Here are some of those stories.
Milk
Just being able to buy some milk for her five children for the first time in years eased Maryam`s concerns about their nutritional needs. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz
Vine leaves
Both a staple and a treat across the Middle East, stuffed vine leaves represent the ultimate comfort food. Fatma`s unbridled joy at once again being able to prepare this dish a few times a month for her family makes the ordinary simply incredible. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz.
Tray
Found in many kitchens across the Middle East, the Sine (a round tray)is a key element of family meals. This bulky and inexpensive item was not on Hatice`s mind during the upheaval of being uprooted from her home. Yet the longing for the togetherness this ordinary item represented was deep. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz.
Cushions
The most ordinary things can make a house a home. For Houla, the renewed ability to decorate her house with a few ordinary cushions and turn it into an incredible home has restored some dignity to her life. In more practical terms, those same cushions also mean the family no longer has to sleep on the cold, hard floor. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz.
Licorice sherbet
Hospitality is the bedrock of a family`s honor in many Middle Eastern societies. Fatma was troubled by the inability to afford the ingredients to make her own licorice sherbet to offer guests. She now feels empowered due to the ability to buy ordinary ingredients to make some sherbet for visitors. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz.
Flatbread
Being able to afford a simple taste of home meant the world to Nazir after years of hardship. The most ordinary act of being able to purchase a bag of flatbread brings back the distinctive taste of life back at home while also filling him and his family with hope. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz.
Chocolate spread
The most ordinary taste of a little sweetness had become unattainable for Fatma and her children. Now that she can afford to buy the occasional jar of chocolate spread, her children are incredibly happy. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz.
Doll
For many girls, growing up with a favorite doll is the most ordinary thing. Arif was overjoyed when he was able to do the most incredible thing and gift his granddaughter a doll to call her own. Photo: WFP/Jennifer Kaplan Ortiz.
The ESSN is implemented by the World Food Programme along with its Turkish partners, which include the Turkish Red Crescent.
