IOM Yemen: The Hands That Help Migrants Walk Again

Sana’a, Yemen

Each morning, sunlight washes over Sana’a, bringing the city to life. The call to prayer rises above the rooftops, shopkeepers open their stalls, and the streets fill with people. But beneath the daily bustle, Yemen’s conflict lingers. For many, survival is an ongoing struggle. Among them are thousands of migrants who arrive hoping to pass through, only to find themselves stranded. 

Hussein left Ethiopia with dreams of finding work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, seeing Yemen as nothing more than a stop along the way. But in a single moment, everything changed. During his journey, he was hit by a bullet in the head.  

“When I woke up, I was in a hospital near the Saudi border. I had no idea who brought me there or why I couldn’t move.” 

The gunshot left him partially paralyzed. After emergency treatment at a hospital in Sa’dah in northern Yemen, he was transferred to the Migrant Response Point (MRP) in Sana’a, a facility run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). There, he found medical care, a place to rest, and the support he needed to begin recovering. 

At the MRP, staff like Abdulkareem play a crucial role in helping migrants regain a sense of stability. Initially hired as a translator for Amharic, Oromo, Arabic, and English, his role was to help bridge communication gaps. But it didn’t take long for him to realize that the migrants needed more than words. 

His true passion had always been helping others, something he discovered long before coming to the MRP. Back home, he often cared for family members struggling with muscle pain and mobility issues. That instinct only grew stronger when he saw injured migrants arriving at the center, some unable to walk and others still recovering from bullet wounds. 

Determined to do more, he attended courses to become a physiotherapist and sought guidance from medical staff. With time and dedication, he became the center’s go-to person for hands-on rehabilitation, helping injured migrants regain their strength and mobility.

Amid the hardship Yemen’s conflict brings, the MRP offers a rare sense of stability. Migrants arrive exhausted, many fleeing violence or economic hardship, seeking safety and support. For those with no way forward and no way back, it is also where they learn about voluntary humanitarian return, a crucial lifeline for those stranded far from home. 

However, recovery goes beyond food and medical treatment. In a quiet corner of the MRP facility, Abdulkareem lays out foam mats, creating a small space for low-impact exercises. He encourages bedridden migrants to try simple stretches, carefully massaging stiff limbs to restore circulation. Every movement follows medical instructions, but just as important is the trust he builds with those in his care.  

“I start by talking to them, letting them know that they are in safe hands,” Abdulkareem explains. “These people left everything behind. Many are traumatized, both physically and mentally. Before we work on mobility, I need them to trust that I am here to help.”

Hussein, still recovering from the bullet wound that left him partially paralyzed, was one of Abdulkareem’s most difficult cases. At first, he couldn’t turn himself in bed or even lift his hand to eat. 

“I remember thinking it would be better to die than to live like that,” he admits. “But then Abdulkareem started physiotherapy with me every day. He encouraged me to keep going and reminded me that progress was possible. Over time, I started to believe that I might walk again one day.” 

For Hussein, regaining even the smallest bit of independence felt like a distant dream. Initially, even sitting upright was exhausting. Abdulkareem steadied him, making sure he didn’t lose balance. “I couldn’t even move my right hand,” he explains. “After enough sessions, I felt something waking up inside me.” 

With time, Hussein’s body began to respond. He managed to feed himself a few bites, then gradually made his way to the bathroom with support. What once seemed impossible became part of his everyday routine. 

Outside in the courtyard, Abdulkareem guided him through simple stretches in the sun. Gradually, those movements turned into standing exercises. At first, he could only manage a few seconds on his feet, his legs trembling under his weight. But each day, he held on a little longer, gripping his walker with determination.

For Abdulkareem, the journey is as much about restoring dignity as it is about improving strength. He believes in bridging the emotional gap that keeps people from believing in recovery. Hussein, once convinced he’d never see life beyond his bedside, began to sense a future again. 

“I came from Ethiopia alone, with no family here,” Hussein says. “IOM gave me a place to stay, food, and medical care. But Abdulkareem gave me the confidence to believe in life again. I realized that my body could heal.” 

Though conflict persists across Yemen, small victories take place at the MRP in Sana’a: a patient regains hand coordination, another musters the energy to stand unassisted. Each success story reflects Abdulkareem’s guiding principle: true healing involves both mind and body. 

“People like Hussein come to us with no idea what tomorrow will bring,” he says. “But if we show them kindness and help them move again, even just a little, they start to believe in something better – and that belief is what carries them forward.” 

IOM’s support for the MRP in Sana’a is funded by EU Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). 

This story was written by Rami Ibrahim, Senior Audiovisual and Communication Assistant with IOM Yemen.​

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