Yezidi orphans readjust to life in Sheikhan

Hevia Sewyan, which means "orphans' hope" in Kurdish, is a centre for Yezidi orphans in Sheikhan, Duhok province. 

The centre aims to create a safe space and help the 30 Yezidi children who currently live there readjust to life after being held under the Islamic State (ISIS). 

Thousands of children were kidnapped and held captive by ISIS, some for the past five years, and many were pushed into fighting for the jihadist group. 

Many have suffered severe trauma and are in need of psychosocial support. 

According to the KRG, ISIS kidnapped a total of 6,417 Yezidi women and children. 

Up to 3,000 Yezidis are still missing, and hopes for their return are getting slimmer.

There were hopes that scores of the still unaccounted for Yezidis would emerge during a two-week pause in fighting between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and ISIS remnants in Baghouz, eastern Syria. 

But few turned up among the thousands who streamed out of the tiny village.

Hussein Karo, who heads the Yezidi Rescue Bureau, said just 47 Yezidis were rescued.

 

With reporting from Rudaw TV's Ayub Nasri.