In the Al-Basateen area of Aden, many displaced families live in a complex environment where they must rebuild their lives from scratch. Among them are Salman and Fatima, who fled Al-Hodeidah with their five children in search of safety. For this household, their 16-year-old son, Waseem, had become the sole breadwinner, working as a labourer unloading scrap metal to support his parents and siblings.
In January 2025, the family’s situation changed drastically when Waseem stepped on a hidden landmine buried within a shipment of scrap. The explosion caused severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of his right leg above the knee. Beyond the physical trauma, the accident had immediate and heavy consequences for the entire family. With Waseem no longer able to work, the household lost its only source of income, leading to accumulated rent debts and the constant threat of eviction. At the same time, Waseem struggled with significant psychological distress, becoming increasingly isolated and reluctant to leave his home.
The journey toward recovery began in October 2025, when the family visited the INTERSOS Community Centre in Dar Saad, funded by the European Union. Our team implemented an integrated support plan, starting with psychological first aid and specialised sessions to help Waseem process the trauma and overcome his isolation. To provide the family with immediate stability, protection cash assistance was provided to cover their unpaid rent, securing their housing and removing the risk of homelessness.
Rebuild children’s lives
A vital step in Waseem’s rehabilitation was the fitting of a prosthetic leg. This medical support, combined with physical therapy, allowed him to regain his mobility and move almost normally, eventually giving him the confidence to leave the house again. Finally, to ensure the family’s long-term security, Waseem was enrolled in an economic empowerment programme that provided him with a vocational opportunity suited to his health. This comprehensive approach—combining psychological, financial, and medical aid—has allowed Waseem to regain his self-confidence and helped his family achieve the stability they need to face the future with more security.
INTERSOS Case Worker says:
“Providing support in areas hosting marginalised communities and Internally Displaced Persons, means addressing deeply interconnected protection challenges, where poverty, displacement, and exposure to risks such as child labour and explosive hazards profoundly shape children’s lives and futures. Despite these challenges, delivering integrated psychosocial, medical, legal, protection, and economic support, remains crucial. Restoring dignity, and enabling children like Waseem to reclaim their sense of self and rebuild their lives with hope and resilience is fundamental.”
This story is part of a broader intervention funded by the European Union, through which INTERSOS delivers integrated health, nutrition, WASH, and protection services across Yemen. As of March 2026, a total of 10,626 individuals have been reached with comprehensive protection services, including 1,319 individuals benefiting from case management (CP, GBV, and general protection), 1524 individuals receiving psychosocial support, 162 cases supported with specialised psychological care, 409 beneficiaries accessing legal assistance, and 178 households receiving protection cash support. In parallel, community-based awareness activities reached 4702 individuals, strengthening the identification of vulnerable cases, of whom 2332 were referred to appropriate services.