Meet our Protection Monitor Zeravan
We spoke to Zeravan, the Protection Monitor in our General Protection project with CARE Iraq and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, to find out more about his role and personal journey…
Hi Zeravan. Have you or your family been personally impacted by conflict?
“In 1988, my family fled to Iran fearing the Iraqi Ba’ath regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians after committing genocide against the people of Halabja. My mother gave birth to me in displacement and I spent eight years of my childhood as a refugee in Iran. That caused me to drop out of the 1st and 2nd grade of primary school because I didn’t have the right ID as a refugee.”
How did you end up working at the Lotus Flower?
“I previously worked with another NGO, so after that came to an end, a friend suggested the Lotus Flower, which had multiple job opportunities at the time. One of these was for a Protection Monitor position so I applied, got shortlisted and after being interviewed, was offered the role. I was also familiar with the organisation through social media long before applying for the job.”
What’s your educational background?
“I graduated from Zakho University’s Faculty of Humanities in English Language and Literature. I then started my career in the humanitarian field after graduation.”
What does your job involve?
“The General Protection project covers four centres: Khanke, Shariya, Seje and Derabon. I go to all four locations and conduct protection monitoring activities at them. I observe protection concerns, and report and share them with the authorities and service providers, including at monthly meetings with the gender-based violence cluster of Duhok Governorate.”
What’s the best thing about your job?
“It’s that I get to make a significant impact by ensuring the safety and wellbeing of people who fled from conflict-stricken areas. For example, I encountered a young woman who had suffered significant trauma, and recognising her need for specialised support, referred her to our psychologist for counselling and emotional healing. Our aim was to assist her in rebuilding her life and restoring a sense of stability and hope. Then I learned that this intervention had a positive impact on her wellbeing.”
Tell us something people might not know about your role…
“People might not know that it’s not only handling protection concerns and risks, but also involves working to prevent conflict before it happens. This is done by analysing factors that increase GBV and taking actions to mitigate the risks, and also by providing awareness sessions.”
What else is good about working for the Lotus Flower?
“The collaborative environment and shared dedication to a common objective. Being a Protection Monitor has also personally benefitted me by enhancing my problem-solving abilities, increasing my situational awareness, and providing a sense of fulfilment from ensuring the safety of others.”
What do you hope to achieve through your work in future?
“I aim to ensure the safety and rights of vulnerable populations, collaborate effectively with stakeholders, improve humanitarian response efforts and empower communities to protect themselves.”