IOM YEMEN: TRAILBLAZERS OF CARE

Ta’iz, Yemen 

“Helping vulnerable people makes me feel proud,” explains Olfat, a dedicated Community Health Volunteer (CHV) working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ta’iz. As a mother of two, Olfat finds it difficult to be away from her children for extended periods of time. Nevertheless, she is unwavering in her commitment to volunteering, driven by the profound meaning it holds for her. 

Olfat’s dedication extends beyond supporting vulnerable populations in remote regions; she also cares for her own daughter, who battles a chronic illness. Through her role as a CHV and the incentive she receives, she is able to secure vital support for her family, ensuring their needs are met. 

Amidst Yemen’s protracted conflict, the invaluable contribution of community health volunteers like Olfat shines through. With reports indicating that less than half of the country’s health facilities operate at full or partial capacity, and many lack essential equipment to deliver basic services, the role of CHVs becomes crucial.

ACCESS STRUGGLES

In the rugged terrain of Ta’iz, access to healthcare often comes at a steep price. These hard-to-reach areas are particularly susceptible to public health risks, with limited access to healthcare facilities exacerbating the population’s vulnerability. 

In times of illness, community members are burdened with hefty transportation costs to reach distant health centers. Yet, thanks to the efforts of volunteers like Olfat, essential support can now reach the doorstep of those in need, alleviating the burdens placed upon vulnerable communities. 

“To visit communities, I often have to walk for long distances, sometimes crossing mountains, which can be tough,” Olfat recounts. “However, I know how much this means for those we support and I don’t want to let them down.”

COMMUNITY HEALTH CHAMPIONS

The volunteers are instrumental in combating health, nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) challenges at the grassroots level in both displaced and host communities, extending essential services to underserved communities beyond the reach of traditional healthcare facilities.  

Armed with knowledge and compassion, the volunteers – predominantly women – bridge gaps between services, ensuring smooth referrals and identifying those in acute need. In times of crisis, they offer solace and support, providing basic first aid and support for outbreak surveillance. 

In multiple villages, the lack of access to health services exacerbates common health issues such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea, as well as maternal mortality from anemia, malnutrition, and complications during pregnancy or birth. Volunteers undertake extensive journeys to reach communities in Ta’iz to provide crucial care to pregnant mothers and children and monitor their health. 

Working closely with Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population and local health offices, the overarching aim of the CHV initiative is to provide basic health services, enhance community health literacy, and foster connections between communities and formal healthcare facilities, promoting proactive health-seeking behaviours. 

SERVING BEYOND CIRCUMSTANCES

Like Olfat, Khulood is another volunteer who has shown reliable support for displaced communities. Even before the outbreak of conflict, she had exhibited a fervent passion for education and community service, having worked as a literacy teacher during her high school years and later as a teacher at a local school. When war broke out in various areas of Ta’iz, Khulood took it upon herself to support vulnerable communities. 

“One of the most difficult issues we faced was the reluctance of some residents to allow our team into their homes,” recalls the twenty-five-year-old. “However, through our regular visits to the village, we gradually earned the trust of the community, and they are now happy to see us.” 

Despite the harsh circumstances in Yemen, which have made life more challenging for Khulood, her family, and countless others, she decided to volunteer as a health worker. A community member herself, Khulood understands quite well how challenging access to health care can be.

“At the beginning of my experience as a volunteer, I had to trek along the mountain road for about an hour to reach the public transportation that took me to the village where I volunteered,” Khulood recounts.

“I felt a sense of happiness in walking that long, knowing that I was on my way to help others.”