A new video report by the UNHCR tells the story of Halloum Alamin, who will turn 100 in 2014. Halloum is a refugee in Lebanon, having fled the violence in her native Syria.

UNHCR explain that, at the start of 2014, the number of Syrian refugees registered with the agency has reached 2,295,700.

The affects of this protracted conflict cut across age and gender, but one of the most vulnerable groups is the elderly. Many have chronic health problems and unable to earn a living, are more reliant on humanitarian assistance and the support of their family

Halloum has lived through a century of history in Syria, and says she never expected to become a refugee in this late stage of life. She now lives as a refugee in Borj Qalawayi, South Lebanon. All her belongings were destroyed by fire, including her identity card. Halloum says she cannot remember her exact date of birth but knows she was born in 1914, so the UNHCR gave her the default birthday of January 1. Her family decided to celebrate her 100th birthday on that day.

Halloum:

I left one son behind in Syria and I have three sons here. My son in Syria didn’t want me to leave but I wanted to see my sons here, I have been here for six months and I want to return. But my sons here won’t let me return.

Ahmad Alamin, Halloum’s Grandson explains:

She (Halloum) is like my mother, she brought me up and my kids too. She is 100 now but her health is good and she still remembers everything. We wake up every morning, we take her out with us on family visits. She tells us stories of her life from when she was born until now. She entertains us at home and we can’t imagine being without her.

Halloum:

I am happy to be with my sons here but my homeland also means a lot to me, but what is more important is my family..what can I do back home at my age? I will not live as long as I have already lived. I am 100 years old and I don’t know if I will live for another hundred days more..I hope to die soon, at my age, death is easy.

…

I left one son behind in Syria and I have three sons here. My son in Syria didn’t want me to leave but I wanted to see my sons here, I have been here for six months and I want to return. But my sons here won’t let me return.

(Thanks to UNHCR for supplying us with a transcript of the video report.)