Basma Sulaiman
A decade has passed since ISIS launched its brutal attack on the Yazidi community in 2014, killing thousands and enslaving many more. The scars of this genocide remain deep, especially for the Yazidi youth and male survivors. While the world has largely moved on, those who endured these horrors continue to face overwhelming challenges as they try to rebuild their lives.
Living in Limbo
For many Yazidis, life has been at a standstill since the genocide. Thousands remain displaced, living in camps with limited access to education, healthcare, and employment. Returning home to Sinjar is not an option for many, as the region still suffers from insecurity, political disputes, and a lack of basic services. Those who have returned face immense hardships—homes remain in ruins, infrastructure is poor, and economic opportunities are scarce.
The absence of justice and accountability only deepens the wounds. With many perpetrators still free and little global attention on their plight, survivors struggle to find closure or a sense of security.
The Forgotten Generation: Yazidi Youth
The genocide robbed an entire generation of Yazidis of a normal childhood. Many young people who were children in 2014 have grown up in displacement, missing out on safe homes, established community, stable education and career opportunities. Schools in the camps are overcrowded, under-resourced, or nonexistent. Higher education remains a distant dream for many due to financial struggles and limited university access.
Beyond education, Yazidi youth also face emotional and psychological struggles. Most people are still traumatized by the events and are still struggling mentally to cope with the unsettlement, the destruction of their lives prior to the genocide, the community, the family and the overall life they had. Many feel abandoned, watching other communities receive support while theirs is left to suffer. The lack of hope pushes some toward migration, leaving their homeland behind in search of better opportunities.
Male Survivors: Suffering in Silence
While the world often focuses on the suffering of the Yazidi women—many of whom were enslaved by ISIS—the pain of male survivors is rarely discussed. Thousands of Yazidi men were executed, leaving behind a generation of widows and children without a father. Those who survived lost not only their families but also their sense of identity and purpose.
Some were taken captive, tortured, or forced into unimaginable situations. Yet, there is little recognition of their trauma. Mental health support is almost nonexistent, and traditional expectations of men as strong and resilient make it difficult for them to express their pain or seek help. Many struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and feelings of helplessness, but they suffer in silence.
A Path to Healing and Justice
Despite these hardships, Yazidi youth and male survivors continue to show remarkable resilience. Many are working to rebuild their lives, educate themselves, and advocate for their community’s rights. Amid these struggles, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have stepped in, offering a lifeline to Yazidi survivors. While their efforts have made a difference, the need remains immense.
Civil society organizations play a critical role in supporting survivors, offering psychological care, legal assistance, and empowerment programs. These organizations provide a vital source of emotional and practical support, particularly in the absence of adequate government services. They help survivors reclaim their lives by offering mental health services, legal advocacy, and vocational training to facilitate self-sufficiency.
As part of their many services, the Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights provides psychological counseling and vocational training, and professional development opportunities helping survivors heal from trauma and regain a sense of purpose. In addition to mental health support, the organization actively advocates for male survivors and provide them with the necessary skills to rebuild their lives and integrate into society.
Jiyan Foundation also plays a key role in justice efforts, leading the Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR), which advocates for legal recognition and support for Yazidi survivors under the Survivors’ Law. As part of its commitment to transparency, the foundation publishes its annual report every year on March 1—the date when the Yazidi Survivors’ Low was legislated on March 1, 2021. This report provides updates on how many survivors have received their compensation, how many are still waiting, and the ongoing efforts to ensure justice. This initiative ensures that survivors, whose suffering is often overlooked—receive the acknowledgment and assistance they deserve. For more information, visit Jiyan Foundation’s website: https://jiyan.org/.
Despite these efforts, mental health care, economic opportunities, and justice for survivors remain limited. The work of these NGOs is vital, but it cannot replace the responsibility of governments and the international community to ensure lasting justice, security, and rebuilding for the Yazidi people.
The international community must take stronger action to ensure the Yazidis can return to a safe and stable Sinjar. Rebuilding infrastructure, providing educational opportunities, and expanding mental health services are critical steps toward recovery. Justice and accountability for the genocide must remain a priority—not only for the survivors’ dignity but also to prevent future atrocities.
Ten years after the genocide, the Yazidi’s struggle is far from over. But with the right support, the next decade can be one of healing, rebuilding, and renewed hope. The Yazidi people have endured unimaginable suffering, yet their strength and determination remain unbreakable.