UNHCR Yemen: For Yemen’s Refugee Youth, Hope Is a Skill: Sabreen and Eman’s Story

On International Youth Day, UNHCR celebrates the courage, creativity, and determination of young refugees who are building brighter futures for themselves and their communities — even in the world’s toughest places.

In a small room on the edge of Sana’a, two Somali sisters are showing what’s possible when youth are given a chance. Sabreen, 25, and Eman, 22, are not only rebuilding their lives after displacement — they’re helping to heal a community, stitch by stitch, skill by skill.

“I have big dreams for the future — and one day, I’m going to achieve them.”— Sabreen

Yemen’s young people have grown up surrounded by crisis. Protracted conflict, economic collapse, and underfunded aid have left millions struggling to survive — including more than 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers who have sought safety from violence in Somalia, Ethiopia, and beyond.

But young refugees like Sabreen and Eman are proving that even in the most challenging conditions, hope — and change — are possible.

After fleeing Somalia as a baby, Sabreen grew up in Yemen. The family’s world was shaken again in 2021 when their father died suddenly, leaving their mother as sole provider. Sabreen turned to university studies in translation; Eman pursued her interest in health and beauty care.

Determined to serve others, the sisters and a friend opened a small clinic — Flex Yemen — using skills from a six-month nursing diploma. They treated neighbors, assisted in childbirths, and became a trusted presence in their community.

“We didn’t have fancy certificates on the wall,” says Eman. “But we had knowledge, compassion, and the will to help.”

Despite their impact, the sisters faced relentless challenges: discrimination, financial hardship, and repeated relocations. Eventually, rising costs forced the clinic to close. But Sabreen and Eman didn’t stop. They continued making house calls, supporting neighbors, and generating income through Eman’s beauty skills.

A turning point occurred when the sisters enrolled in vocational training courses offered by UNHCR and its partners. These programmes, vital for both refugees and Yemenis, helped them earn income, build confidence, and shape new dreams.

“Without those six months of training, we wouldn’t have had food on the table,” Eman says. “They gave us more than skills — they gave us dignity.”

In 2024 alone, over 600 refugees and asylum seekers in Yemen benefited from UNHCR-supported livelihoods programmes.

As International Youth Day is observed around the world, Sabreen and Eman serve as proof that when young people are empowered, entire communities are uplifted. Sabreen hopes to work as a translator for a humanitarian agency; Eman dreams of opening her own beauty salon. Above all, they want their mother to rest, knowing her daughters are safe.

“I want other refugee girls to know: you are stronger than you think,” says Sabreen.

This International Youth Day, UNHCR calls for sustained support for refugee youth — ensuring they have the education, skills, and opportunities to shape a better future for all.

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