For months, employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross have made weekly visits to a detention camp in northern Syria bearing a photograph of a petite woman in her early 60s.

They show the image to camp officials, comparing it with pictures of tens of thousands of other people in the camp’s database.

All of them are escapees from Isis' last stretch of territory, which fell to US-backed forces last month.

The woman in the photo is Louisa Akavi, 62, a New Zealand nurse and midwife who was abducted in late 2013 in the northwest Syrian city of Idlib.

She is one of the last links to the group of at least 23 Western hostages held by Isis, a majority of whom were released for ransom while others were killed in widely publicised beheadings.

Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Show all 14 1 /14 Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Richard Hall Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Men who fled the last Isis-held area of Syria line up to be questioned by American and Kurdish intelligence officials Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Richard Hall Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A young girl pulls her belongings after arriving Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate An SDF fighter hands out bread to women and children after they arrive Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Sita Ghazzar, 70, after fleeing from the last Isis-held territory in Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A family from Russia who recently fled the last Isis-held area of Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Richard Hall Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Richard Hall Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Richard Hall Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Richard Hall Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall Richard Hall/The Independent

For more than five years, her employer and her government imposed an especially strict media blackout, warning that any mention not only of her identity, but even of her nationality, could endanger her.

But now that Isis’ caliphate has collapsed, the aid group has broken its silence in hopes that the public can help find her and two Red Cross drivers, both Syrians, kidnapped alongside her.

“From the moment Louisa and the others were kidnapped, every decision we made was to maximise the chances of winning their freedom,” Yves Daccord, director general of the humanitarian organisation, said in his first interview about his missing colleagues.

“With the Islamic State group having lost the last of its territory, we felt it was now time to speak out.”

The aid group and the New Zealand government have reason to believe she is alive.

As recently as December, Red Cross officials said, at least two people described seeing her at a clinic in Sousa, one of the final villages to be held by Isis.

The Red Cross also considers credible at least three other reported sightings of her – in Abu Kamal in 2016, Raqqa in 2017 and Mayadeen last year, officials with the aid group said.

Some of the witnesses said they saw her performing medical duties at clinics and hospitals under Isis control, indicating that she was no longer held in a cell and was able to use her nursing skills to win a modicum of freedom, according to Mr Daccord.

Current and former US intelligence officials, as well as government officials in New Zealand, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there were strong indications that she was alive last year, based on sightings.

The US officials also said Ms Akavi might have been held with a British hostage, journalist John Cantlie, at Mosul University in neighbouring Iraq, before the area was liberated in late 2016.

Based on the intelligence indicating that Ms Akavi was still alive, New Zealand deployed special forces to Syria to search for her, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement Monday.

Woman who was sold as sex slave burns veil after fleeing Isis in Syria

The “non-combat” team, which has included members from the New Zealand Defence Force and the Foreign Ministry staff, is authorised to visit Syria “from time to time,” Peters said. “The efforts to locate and recover Louisa are ongoing.”

Ms Akavi would be the longest-held hostage in the 156-year history of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the group said.

Her ordeal began in late October 2013, when she travelled to Idlib to deliver medical supplies.

Three days later, she and six colleagues were returning to Damascus in a convoy marked with the Red Cross emblem when gunmen stopped them at a checkpoint.

Four of the aid workers were freed the next day, but Ms Akavi and two others, Nabil Bakdounes and Alaa Rajab, remain missing.

Mr Daccord was immediately alerted to their disappearance, and a 15-member Red Cross team, including a crisis group in Geneva, began looking for them.

“I was convinced she’d be back soon – 24 hours, 48 hours, a week,” said Avril Patterson, a colleague of Ms Akavi’s who arrived in Damascus a day after her friend’s disappearance.

“And then as time goes on, your denial doesn’t work anymore.”

At first, the Red Cross did not know the identity of the captors. But then, a school near the checkpoint where the workers were taken was painted with the Isis logo.

Months later, in phone calls, emails and text messages, the terrorist group negotiated with the Red Cross, initially demanding a ransom of less than 1 million euros (under £950,000) and calling for the release of detained Isis fighters.

But the ransom fluctuated as time went on, the aid group said, rising to 20 million euros (£17.3 million) before dropping to 5 million euros (£4.3 million), the amount requested for several other Western hostages.

British aid worker chats with refugee and his children who nearly died trying to cross the Channel in an inflatable dinghy

In those exchanges, the Red Cross was able to send proof-of-life questions, asking for the number of Ms Akavi’s insurance policy, which her family said was written on a card the nurse kept with her.

Isis provided the correct number, one of several personal questions the group answered that convinced the Red Cross it was in fact speaking to her captors, Mr Daccord said.

By early 2014, the aid group confirmed that Ms Akavi was being detained in a facility next to an oil installation outside Raqqa.

She shared a cell with an American aid worker, Kayla Mueller, according to the aid group and others who were in the same jail.

An adjacent cell held more than a dozen male prisoners from Europe and North America, including American journalist James Foley, as well as John Cantlie, the only other Western hostage who may still be alive, according to a statement in February by a British government official.

By mid-2014, Isis had released most of the hostages after their governments, and sometimes their employers or families, paid multi-million dollar ransoms.

But three British and four US citizens, whose governments hew to a strict no-ransom policy, remained behind, along with Ms Akavi.

That August, after failing to get a ransom for his release, Isis killed James Foley.

His beheading, and the similarly brutal deaths of two British hostages and the remaining American men in the next few months, shocked the public and rattled the Obama administration.

That set in motion a military intervention in Syria that ended just weeks ago with the collapse of Isis’ rule.

The female prisoners were initially spared, even though Isis sent the Red Cross an email in July 2014 saying it planned to execute both Ms Akavi and Ms Mueller as retaliation for a failed rescue attempt by US commandos, according to Mr Daccord.

The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees Show all 26 1 /26 The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-main-0.jpg Children who live in Za’atari Refugee Camp with an object that they have brought from Syria. Each photo has an incredibly powerful story behind it. There are images of children holding various objects, including photos of their fathers who were killed in the war, toys which comforted them as they fled the conflict and even a set of house keys, which Rudaina hopes to use when she returns to Syria. Unicef/Herwig Photos Unicef/Christopher Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-8.jpg Omar, 11. Omar holds his teddy bear Ben 10 in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œMy Ben 10 transforms into an alien from space and he saves the world,â€ says the 11 year old. â€œI brought it from Syria. My brother gave it to me before he died. Omar lost both of his older brothers in the conflict. His brother Abdulrahman was just 7 years old when he died. â€œHe bought it for me in the market and told me to take care of it. We used to watch the cartoon together. I still watch it now.â€ Omar doesnâ€™t remember much about his home in Syria but he thinks it was as big as a UNICEF Makani centre, where he goes for learning and psychosocial support. â€œMost of our stuff we had to leave behind but my mum packed Ben 10 so I could play with it.â€ â€œItâ€™s so important to me. This toy is as precious to me as my own brother. Iâ€™m going to keep it forever.â€ The best part of Omarâ€™s day is sunset when he comes home from school and Makani, eats food and does his homework sitting with his family. His favourite subject is Maths and he studies hard to achieve his dream. â€œI want to become a pilot. I used to be afraid of planes but now I want to travel. Maybe if I get on a plane I wonâ€™t be afraid anymore.â€ Omar now has two little sisters in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. He lets his youngest sister Islam play with Ben 10. When he gets dirty he puts him in the washing machine. â€œIâ€™m the only boy now. I think my brother would be proud of me.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-bas Â© UNICEF/UN0264951/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-10.jpg Omar, 11. Omar still has his teddy bear Ben 10 from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œMy Ben 10 transforms into an alien from space and he saves the world,â€ says the 11 year old. â€œI brought it from Syria. My brother gave it to me before he died. Omar lost both of his older brothers in the conflict. His brother Abdulrahman was just 7 years old when he died. â€œHe bought it for me in the market and told me to take care of it. We used to watch the cartoon together. I still watch it now.â€ Omar doesnâ€™t remember much about his home in Syria but he thinks it was as big as a UNICEF Makani centre, where he goes for learning and psychosocial support. â€œMost of our stuff we had to leave behind but my mum packed Ben 10 so I could play with it.â€ â€œItâ€™s so important to me. This toy is as precious to me as my own brother. Iâ€™m going to keep it forever.â€ The best part of Omarâ€™s day is sunset when he comes home from school and Makani, eats food and does his homework sitting with his family. His favourite subject is Maths and he studies hard to achieve his dream. â€œI want to become a pilot. I used to be afraid of planes but now I want to travel. Maybe if I get on a plane I wonâ€™t be afraid anymore.â€ Omar now has two little sisters in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. He lets his youngest sister Islam play with Ben 10. When he gets dirty he puts him in the washing machine. â€œIâ€™m the only boy now. I think my brother would be proud of me.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced Â© UNICEF/UN0264949/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-4.jpg Yahya, 13 years, holds a passport photo of himself, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is a photo of me. Itâ€™s my memory. It means a lot to me because it was taken for my school registration form. I was in the first grade for only one week and then we had to come here.â€ â€œI have memories from this time, both good and bad. I remember how my school looked â€“ it was beautiful. I had started making friends and playing football. â€œBut the bad memories are of the war, when we were under bombing. I want to forget this memory and the memory of the journey here.â€ â€œIt was nighttime when we left Syria and we could hardly see the road in front of us. We moved through valleys full of thorns that hurt when we stepped on them. People started throwing away their belongings because of how hard the journey was â€“ anything heavy had to go. I had to leave behind my school books, my pens and my colours because my mum told me too. She said it wouldnâ€™t be long before we came back home. But itâ€™s been six years.â€ He is now in sixth grade. â€œSchool is good here.â€ When he grows up, he wants to be a forensic doctor. â€œEverything has changed â€“ my school, my home, my friends. I wish I had the power to restore Syria.â€ He keeps his photo safe so he can remember his past when he looks at it. â€œThis photo is part of my childhood. When I look at this photo, it makes me smile to see myself and Iâ€™m happy to have a memory of when I was younger in Syria.â€ â€œI was only six then. Now my biggest wish is to return to Syria and see my house and my school. I want Syria to be safe once again.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of th Â© UNICEF/UN0264920/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-7.jpg Qusai, 13 years, holds a schoolbag in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œI was in first grade in Syria and my dad gave me this schoolbag. I was only little then but now Iâ€™m in the sixth grade.â€ Although the schoolbag is now too small for him, he keeps it safe. â€œItâ€™s important to me because my father gave it to me as a gift and I remember him by it. Also because it is from my country.â€ He still has happy memories from life in Syria, including going to school. â€œI used to feel really happy when break came and I could go to the shop. I remember playing in the schoolyard â€“ my friends chasing me and me chasing them.â€ Although he preferred his school in Syria, he still enjoys going to school in the camp. His favourite subject is English and he wants to become an English teacher. He has no plans to give up the old schoolbag. â€œI will keep this schoolbag forever. I will tell my children my father gave this to me and I kept it safe for all these years to show you.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so Â© UNICEF/UN0264952/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-5.jpg Qusai, 13 years, still owns his schoolbag from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œI was in first grade in Syria and my dad gave me this schoolbag. I was only little then but now Iâ€™m in the sixth grade.â€ Although the schoolbag is now too small for him, he keeps it safe. â€œItâ€™s important to me because my father gave it to me as a gift and I remember him by it. Also because it is from my country.â€ He still has happy memories from life in Syria, including going to school. â€œI used to feel really happy when break came and I could go to the shop. I remember playing in the schoolyard â€“ my friends chasing me and me chasing them.â€ Although he preferred his school in Syria, he still enjoys going to school in the camp. His favourite subject is English and he wants to become an English teacher. He has no plans to give up the old schoolbag. â€œI will keep this schoolbag forever. I will tell my children my father gave this to me and I kept it safe for all these years to show you.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixtur Â© UNICEF/UN0264954/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-3.jpg Ayoub, 13 years, holds a set of spoons in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThese are my spoons. I was six when I left Syria. I wanted to take them with me from Syria as a memory so I grabbed them as we were leaving the house and I carried them the whole way here.â€ â€œI used to eat my meals with them back at home so I thought that I am going to need them to eat when I come to the camp.â€ Ayoub has dropped out of school in the camp but he continues to attend a Makani centre for learning and psychosocial support. â€œWhen I grow up, I want to be a taxi driver because I want to leave the camp and go everywhere. Iâ€™ve been in a taxi before and I loved it. Inside the camp we donâ€™t have taxis, only bicycles. Iâ€™m not in school so I canâ€™t be a doctor or an engineer but I think itâ€™s the easiest thing for me to do when I grow up.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilienc Â© UNICEF/UN0264921/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-6.jpg Hamza, 14 years, holds a handwritten note, from his teacher in Syria, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis note was written by my teacher when I was in first grade in Syria. Itâ€™s a thank you letter to my family saying that I am a good student.â€ The note calls Hamza a star. â€œI made sure to put it in my bag when we were coming here.â€ Hamza is now in the eighth grade and has made a big effort to keep achieving academically, despite the disruption to his education. â€œItâ€™s important for me to keep it because it reminds me of when I was the best student in my class.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 2012. UNICEF provides WASH, protection, education, health and nutrition, youth and adolescent services and social protection Â© UNICEF/UN0264953/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-2.jpg Mohammad, 16 years, holds his hat in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my hat. My father used to work in Damascus. He bought it there and gave it to me. Life then was magnificent.â€ He still remembers the beginning of the conflict in Syria. â€œChildren were being killed and houses were being bombed. My father feared for our lives and for our future.â€ â€œWhen we had to leave Syria, it was winter. I remember crossing a valley and the ground being difficult to walk on. It was dangerous, cars were sliding on the ice.â€ Mohammad brought as much of his clothing as he could carry to Zaâ€™atari but the hat remains his most loved item. â€œI wore it all the way crossing to Jordan and I still wear it every winter. Itâ€™s so precious, it reminds me of Syria. And itâ€™s a gift from my Dad which is why it means so much to me.â€ Mohammad lives with his parents and brothers and sisters in the camp. He is in tenth grade and likes school. He feels like the camp is home because he is surrounded by his family and a bigger Syrian community who keep their memories alive. â€œMy parents tell me about when we were little. They say that Syria was beautiful. I will go back home to my village and continue living there. I will bring my hat and tell my children everything about my story.â€ When asked if itâ€™s important for children in Zaâ€™atari to try to remember Syria when some of the memories are so traumatic, he replies straight away â€“ â€œBoth. I think itâ€™s very important to keep memories but also to forget the horrors of war.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Â© UNICEF/UN0264922/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-1.jpg Mohammad, 16 years, wears his hat from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my hat. My father used to work in Damascus. He bought it there and gave it to me. Life then was magnificent.â€ He still remembers the beginning of the conflict in Syria. â€œChildren were being killed and houses were being bombed. My father feared for our lives and for our future.â€ â€œWhen we had to leave Syria, it was winter. I remember crossing a valley and the ground being difficult to walk on. It was dangerous, cars were sliding on the ice.â€ Mohammad brought as much of his clothing as he could carry to Zaâ€™atari but the hat remains his most loved item. â€œI wore it all the way crossing to Jordan and I still wear it every winter. Itâ€™s so precious, it reminds me of Syria. And itâ€™s a gift from my Dad which is why it means so much to me.â€ Mohammad lives with his parents and brothers and sisters in the camp. He is in tenth grade and likes school. He feels like the camp is home because he is surrounded by his family and a bigger Syrian community who keep their memories alive. â€œMy parents tell me about when we were little. They say that Syria was beautiful. I will go back home to my village and continue living there. I will bring my hat and tell my children everything about my story.â€ When asked if itâ€™s important for children in Zaâ€™atari to try to remember Syria when some of the memories are so traumatic, he replies straight away â€“ â€œBoth. I think itâ€™s very important to keep memories but also to forget the horrors of war.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have Â© UNICEF/UN0264923/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-24.jpg Ahmad, 12 years, holds a key ring inscribed with his fatherâ€™s name in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis key ring belonged to my dad, I inherited it from him a long time ago. He died of a heart attack at the start of the war in Syria.â€ â€œI barely have any memories of my Dad but the few I have are very precious. My favourite memory is the time he brought us to the river for a picnic and we played in the water.â€ â€œIf I want to remember him, I take out his key ring and look at it.â€ Ahmad wants to be an architect when he grows us because his father worked in construction. â€œI still have a long way to go as I am only in the sixth grade but I will do my best. It would make my Dad proud of me.â€ Ahmad lives with his grandmother and brother in the camp. Although they donâ€™t have much, he says that their love is enough for him. Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilie Â© UNICEF/UN0264925/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-25.jpg Ahmad, 12 years, has a key ring inscribed with his fatherâ€™s name in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis key ring belonged to my dad, I inherited it from him a long time ago. He died of a heart attack at the start of the war in Syria.â€ â€œI barely have any memories of my dad but the few I have are very precious. My favourite memory is the time he brought us to the river for a picnic and we played in the water.â€ â€œIf I want to remember him, I take out his key ring and look at it.â€ Ahmad wants to be an architect when he grows us because his father worked in construction. â€œI still have a long way to go as I am only in the sixth grade but I will do my best. It would make my dad proud of me.â€ Ahmad lives with his grandmother and brother in the camp. Although they donâ€™t have much, he says that their love is enough for him. Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilien Â© UNICEF/UN0264924/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-23.jpg Yara, 10 years, holds a doll in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis toy is from Syria. Her name is Farah.â€ Yaraâ€™s father gave her Farah for her birthday. â€œHe used to buy me so many things.â€ She enjoys taking off Farahâ€™s dress, washing it and dressing her again. â€œI take care of her because I love her. I feel happy when Iâ€™m with her.â€ â€œI take her everywhere. I sleep with her. I tell her the story of Little Red Riding Hood - itâ€™s about a wolf - to put her to sleep.â€ Yara still has memories of her bedroom in Syria. â€œIt was white and I had teddy bears and one was really big. Bigger than me.â€ â€œIt got scary in Syria. There were shootings. Dad said get your stuff together, weâ€™re going.â€ â€œI wanted to bring that teddy bear here but my parents said no, it was too big. So I put Farah in my bag. I told her weâ€™re going to Zaâ€™atari. I told her donâ€™t made any sound because if you do, we canâ€™t go in. She was scared.â€ â€œWe were both happy when we arrived in Zaâ€™atari. I brought a pink dress too just like Farahâ€™s. â€œI am never going to get rid of her. I have so many toys, even one that costs 5 JD, but I love this one.â€ Yara goes to school in the camp and wants to be a pharmacist when she grows up so she can give people medicine that will heal them. She wants to return to Syria. â€œI will dress her up and get her ready and we will go. But this time, Iâ€™m bringing all of my toys.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach t Â© UNICEF/UN0264936/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-22.jpg Yara, 10 years, still has her doll from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis toy is from Syria. Her name is Farah.â€ Yaraâ€™s father gave her Farah for her birthday. â€œHe used to buy me so many things.â€ She enjoys taking off Farahâ€™s dress, washing it and dressing her again. â€œI take care of her because I love her. I feel happy when Iâ€™m with her.â€ â€œI take her everywhere. I sleep with her. I tell her the story of Little Red Riding Hood - itâ€™s about a wolf - to put her to sleep.â€ Yara still has memories of her bedroom in Syria. â€œIt was white and I had teddy bears and one was really big. Bigger than me.â€ â€œIt got scary in Syria. There were shootings. Dad said get your stuff together, weâ€™re going.â€ â€œI wanted to bring that teddy bear here but my parents said no, it was too big. So I put Farah in my bag. I told her weâ€™re going to Zaâ€™atari. I told her donâ€™t made any sound because if you do, we canâ€™t go in. She was scared.â€ â€œWe were both happy when we arrived in Zaâ€™atari. I brought a pink dress too just like Farahâ€™s. â€œI am never going to get rid of her. I have so many toys, even one that costs 5 JD, but I love this one.â€ Yara goes to school in the camp and wants to be a pharmacist when she grows up so she can give people medicine that will heal them. She wants to return to Syria. â€œI will dress her up and get her ready and we will go. But this time, Iâ€™m bringing all of my toys.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community- Â© UNICEF/UN0264937/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-20.jpg Hala, 11 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp, holding a photo of her and her older brother in Syria. â€œMy favourite photo is me and my brother together. It was a Friday. My mum had dressed me nicely for Friday prayer, then we went to the market and a restaurant. After that we went to a photographerâ€™s studio where this photo was taken.â€ Hala keeps her photos from Syria hidden in her closet to keep them safe. She takes them out from time to time to look at them. â€œI only remember the war. I used to be so afraid. Bombs used to fall all around our house.â€ â€œWithout photos, I wouldnâ€™t know what it was like to be a kid in Syria. Because Syria is in my heart, it is my country where I was born. When I look at this photo, I remember those days again. There arenâ€™t enough words to describe the life I see in these photos. Itâ€™s pure happiness.â€ Hala missed two years of her education because of the conflict â€“ one in Syria and one in Jordan. Now she is in the fourth grade. â€œI love school a lot. Arabic is my favourite subject and I want to be a surgeon. My mum told me that it was her dream when she was a child to become one but she got married instead. I want her to fulfil her dream through me.â€ As well as getting a good education, Hala knows what it will take to achieve her dream. â€œI have to be courageous and not fear anything.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and Â© UNICEF/UN0264939/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-21.jpg Hala, 11 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp, still has a photo of her and her older brother in Syria. â€œMy favourite photo is me and my brother together. It was a Friday. My mum had dressed me nicely for Friday prayer, then we went to the market and a restaurant. After that we went to a photographerâ€™s studio where this photo was taken.â€ Hala keeps her photos from Syria hidden in her closet to keep them safe. She takes them out from time to time to look at them. â€œI only remember the war. I used to be so afraid. Bombs used to fall all around our house.â€ â€œWithout photos, I wouldnâ€™t know what it was like to be a kid in Syria. Because Syria is in my heart, it is my country where I was born. When I look at this photo, I remember those days again. There arenâ€™t enough words to describe the life I see in these photos. Itâ€™s pure happiness.â€ Hala missed two years of her education because of the conflict â€“ one in Syria and one in Jordan. Now she is in the fourth grade. â€œI love school a lot. Arabic is my favourite subject and I want to be a surgeon. My mum told me that it was her dream when she was a child to become one but she got married instead. I want her to fulfil her dream through me.â€ As well as getting a good education, Hala knows what it will take to achieve her dream. â€œI have to be courageous and not fear anything.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, a Â© UNICEF/UN0264938/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-19.jpg Rudaina, 11 years, holds house keys in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThese are my house keys. I brought them with me because when we go back to Syria, Iâ€™m going to be the one who opens the door.â€ â€œMy parents tell me that Syria is beautiful. I was so little that I donâ€™t remember.â€ Rudaina is in fourth grade and her favourite subject is Maths. She wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. â€œWe once had a home but now we live in a caravan.â€ â€œI feel so sad when I hold the keys because Iâ€™m so far away from home.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 2012. UNICEF provides WASH, protection, education, health and nutrition, youth and adolescent services and social protection for the over 44,000 children who live there an Â© UNICEF/UN0264940/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-18.jpg Rudaina, 11 years, still has her house keys from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThese are my house keys. I brought them with me because when we go back to Syria, Iâ€™m going to be the one who opens the door.â€ â€œMy parents tell me that Syria is beautiful. I was so little that I donâ€™t remember.â€ Rudaina is in fourth grade and her favourite subject is Maths. She wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. â€œWe once had a home but now we live in a caravan.â€ â€œI feel so sad when I hold the keys because Iâ€™m so far away from home.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 2012. UNICEF provides WASH, protection, education, health and nutrition, youth and adolescent services and social protection for the over 44,000 childr Â© UNICEF/UN0264941/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-17.jpg Nour, 12 years, holds a blanket in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my blanket. When I was little and it was my birthday, my grandmother bought it for me.â€ â€œI remember that we had to flee because there was bombing. It was night time. Thatâ€™s why we came here.â€ â€œI was covered in it when I was little and I came here. It protected me against the cold and the rain. I was scared but my mum held me.â€ Nour wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Her favourite subject is Social Studies because she likes it and her teacher. â€œI still have feelings when I cover myself in this blanket. I feel sadness thinking about the old beautiful days in Syria. But I also feel protected and safe.â€ â€œIâ€™m going to keep it as long as I can.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children i Â© UNICEF/UN0264942/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-16.jpg Nour, 12 years, still has her blanket from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œThis is my blanket. When I was little and it was my birthday, my grandmother bought it for me.â€ â€œI remember that we had to flee because there was bombing. It was night time. Thatâ€™s why we came here.â€ â€œI was covered in it when I was little and I came here. It protected me against the cold and the rain. I was scared but my mum held me.â€ Nour wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Her favourite subject is Social Studies because she likes it and her teacher. â€œI still have feelings when I cover myself in this blanket. I feel sadness thinking about the old beautiful days in Syria. But I also feel protected and safe.â€ â€œIâ€™m going to keep it as long as I can.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and developme Â© UNICEF/UN0264943/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-15.jpg Iman, 13 years, holds her doll in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œHer name is Lulu. Sheâ€™s a gift from my mum so sheâ€™s very important. I love her!â€ â€œWe brought her here from Syria. When I was little and upset, my parents would give me this toy and I would stop crying.â€ â€œI feel safe as long as Lulu is with me. When the war started and there was shooting, I used to hug her to feel safe.â€ â€œI remember coming here. It was at night and it was dark. On the journey I felt protected having her with me.â€ These days, having Lulu near still makes Iman feel better whenever she is afraid or sad. She keeps her hidden but still lets her little sister play with her. â€œI will keep Lulu forever.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since it opened in 20 Â© UNICEF/UN0264944/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-12.jpg Iman, 13 years, still has her doll from Syria in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp. â€œHer name is Lulu. Sheâ€™s a gift from my mum so sheâ€™s very important. I love her!â€ â€œWe brought her here from Syria. When I was little and upset, my parents would give me this toy and I would stop crying.â€ â€œI feel safe as long as Lulu is with me. When the war started and there was shooting, I used to hug her to feel safe.â€ â€œI remember coming here. It was at night and it was dark. On the journey I felt protected having her with me.â€ These days, having Lulu near still makes Iman feel better whenever she is afraid or sad. She keeps her hidden but still lets her little sister play with her. â€œI will keep Lulu forever.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy growth and development of children in Za'atari refugee camp since Â© UNICEF/UN0264947/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-14.jpg Zaina*, 13 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp holding a framed photo of her father. â€œThatâ€™s my fatherâ€™s photo. When I was in first grade he died in the war.â€ â€œI wanted to bring this with me when I came here. It was hanging on the wall. I saw my mother putting stuff together so I ran to the photo and took it off the wall and put it in her bag.â€ â€œI have many memories of all the toys he gave me that I couldnâ€™t bring with me.â€ Zaina has been living in the camp for six years. She is in sixth grade and her favourite subject is English. She wants to be a lawyer when she grows up. â€œI wish to return to Syria and for life to be like it was before. I will put my fatherâ€™s photo back on the wall where it was hanging before.â€ *name changed to protect identity Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres remain a sustainable fixture in the camps, so that vulnerable children and communities can continue to access high-quality services which promote their well-being, development and resilience for years to come. UNICEF has supported the healthy grow Â© UNICEF/UN0264945/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-13.jpg â€œI brought this dog,â€ says Shatha, 15 years. â€œI was little when we left Syria â€“ only 8 or 9 years old. I donâ€™t remember much. â€œWhen we had to leave, I took him with me, I was thinking he would protect me. I had so many toys to choose from but he was my favourite â€“ I played with him a lot. â€œI remember being on the bus here and sleeping a lot. I held him the whole way to Zaâ€™atari. â€œThe camp was full of tents back then and life was hard, really hard. I kept getting lost. I never let go of my dog in those first days so he could protect me. â€œNow life is sweet. We have these centres and schools and weâ€™re getting an education. We have friends and parties.â€ Shatha wants to be a lawyer when she grows up to protect herself and others. â€œI love the Makani, itâ€™s my favourite place in the camp. We learn and we play here. I play lots of football and like the computers. â€œMy toy dog will always be with me. Iâ€™ll tell my children my whole life story and his â€“ because itâ€™s the same as mine.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres re Â© UNICEF/UN0264946/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-11.jpg â€œI brought this dog,â€ says Shatha, 15 years. â€œI was little when we left Syria â€“ only 8 or 9 years old. I donâ€™t remember much. â€œWhen we had to leave, I took him with me, I was thinking he would protect me. I had so many toys to choose from but he was my favourite â€“ I played with him a lot. â€œI remember being on the bus here and sleeping a lot. I held him the whole way to Zaâ€™atari. â€œThe camp was full of tents back then and life was hard, really hard. I kept getting lost. I never let go of my dog in those first days so he could protect me. â€œNow life is sweet. We have these centres and schools and weâ€™re getting an education. We have friends and parties.â€ Shatha wants to be a lawyer when she grows up to protect herself and others. â€œI love the Makani, itâ€™s my favourite place in the camp. We learn and we play here. I play lots of football and like the computers. â€œMy toy dog will always be with me. Iâ€™ll tell my children my whole life story and his â€“ because itâ€™s the same as mine.â€ Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 per cent, while improving the responsiveness to local needs and engagement of their surrounding community. It will also ensure that Makani centres r Â© UNICEF/UN0264948/Herwig Unicef/Herwig The precious objects bringing comfort to Syrian refugees syria-refugees-objects-9.jpg Sham*, 7 years, in Zaâ€™atari Refugee Camp holding a photo of her father. â€œThat photo was taken in Syria. Itâ€™s important to me because my father died and I loved him so much.â€ â€œHe used to tell me stories â€“ stories about Syria. I loved his stories so much.â€ â€œOne day he told me we were going to the camp in five days. He said the war is going to get bad so you have to go. He told me you will grow older and I need you to look after your mother.â€ â€œHe wouldnâ€™t come with us and he died in Syria.â€ Sham says that if she ever lost the photos of her father, she would never stop looking for them. To keep them safe, she hides them in a bag and then hides the bag in their caravan. She lives with her mother, two brothers and one sister in the camp. She goes to school and is in the second grade. â€œI like to go to school to learn. Science is my favourite subject. I study hard so I can practice on my own without using the books.â€ â€œIf my Dad was here now he would ask me â€˜what do you want to be when your grow upâ€™ and I would say â€˜I want to be an engineer just like youâ€™. He would be really proud of me.â€ *name changed to protect identity Makani (which translates as â€˜My Spaceâ€™) centres provide an integrated set of services to children in the camp, including learning support, community-based child protection, early childhood development, adolescent and youth participation, life skills and innovation labs. In Zaâ€™atari, there are 13 Makani centres serving over 7,000 children. Located in every district of the camp, vulnerable children, youth and communities have access to Makani, no matter where they live. Since January 2018, UNICEF has introduced a community-based approach to fulfil its vision of Makani centres to be self-sustained by Syrian staff, and for children and their families to become empowered to lead on the design and implementation of their own activities. This localization of the operation has reduced operating costs by 30 pe Â© UNICEF/UN0264950/Herwig Unicef/Herwig

By autumn, the women were sharing their cell with two Yazidi teenagers who had been abducted with thousands of other women in Iraq to be used as sex slaves.

“They took us to Raqqa and put us in a jail – that’s where we met Kayla and Louisa,” recalled one of the teenagers, D, who asked to be identified only by her first initial.

“Louisa was old. She said her hand was hurting,” said D, now 19, who was interviewed in 2015 at a refugee camp in Iraq after escaping.

She described how for most of the day, Ms Akavi lay on the floor of their cell, apparently too ill to sit up.

The Red Cross was warned in communications with Isis that Ms Akavi was sick, Mr Daccord said, but never learned what was wrong. A proof-of-life video in summer 2014 showed her looking tired but with no visible signs of injury or illness.

Sometime that autumn, guards moved Ms Mueller and the Yazidi girls to a villa where they became sex slaves to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the caliph of the terrorist group, according to the teenagers and the former US officials.

Ms Akavi was left behind, apparently because of her age and frail health, the two girls said. Isis announced that Ms Mueller, 26, died in early 2015, claiming she was killed in an airstrike by the US-led coalition.

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Born on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, Ms Akavi was raised in New Zealand.

She completed her nursing training at Wellington Hospital in 1977 and went on to work in hospitals in New Zealand, England and Scotland.

She deployed on her first Red Cross mission in 1988, treating Vietnamese boat people in Malaysia, she recalled in an oral history recorded for a university thesis.

Ms Akavi later served in war zones including Somalia, Chechnya, Iraq and Afghanistan. “I know I can make a difference – a small difference,” she told the Kapiti Observer newspaper in 2010.

She had her share of close calls.

In 1996, Ms Akavi survived an attack by gunmen on a Red Cross medical centre near Grozny, Chechnya, by hiding in a locked room. Six colleagues perished in the assault, the most deadly in the organisation’s history.

Three years later, she was awarded the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international distinction a nurse can achieve.

In late 2014, Isis stopped responding to the Red Cross’ messages, and there was no news of Ms Akavi in 2015, officials with the aid group said.

But in 2016, they received a tentative confirmation that a foreign woman matching her description had been spotted in Abu Kamal, a town in Syria where the group’s fighters had retrenched.

Then, in what Mr Daccord called “a breakthrough”, several people who had escaped to detention camps in Iraq in late 2017 told Red Cross workers they had been treated by Ms Akavi in Syria.

“This was incredible information to receive, apparent confirmation of her location, that she was still alive and that she was still doing what she is trained to do and has long done: providing medical care in a conflict zone,” Mr Daccord said.

Among the strongest evidence that she was still alive came just four months ago, when two people interviewed by the Red Cross confirmed seeing her working as a nurse in Sousa.

But since then, there has been no reported sighting.

Tens of thousands of Isis supporters – including fighters and their wives and children – poured into the desert in the final weeks before the group’s last toehold was liberated.

The women are being held behind a chain-link fence at the al-Hol detention camp. The sprawling tent city has been described as a “mini-caliphate” with Isis wives patrolling the area, threatening women who do not cover their faces.

On weekly trips, Red Cross workers are checking the camp for Ms Akavi. They worry she may be inside and fearful of identifying herself because of possible repercussions from Isis loyalists there.

And so, a few weeks ago, a senior Red Cross official travelled to the camp with one mission: erect a tall Red Cross flag amid the tents.

It is intended to be a beacon of sorts for Ms Akavi, encouraging her to approach her colleagues and seek refuge, if she is there.

“There is a chance that it will reach her,” Mr Daccord said.