Brussels, Belgium — “I had a stable life,” Dawod recalls. “A normal life.”

Looking back, what he misses most is not the apartment he owned or the car he drove. It is the certainty that tomorrow would look much like today.

For most of his life, Dawod expected his future to unfold in Yemen. He had a career he took pride in, an apartment, a car. Before the war escalated, leaving home was something he imagined doing only for short holidays. But conflict has a way of rewriting plans without warning.

While visiting family in Malaysia, Dawod learned that the airport in his hometown of Sana’a had been bombed. Suddenly, returning home was no longer a simple matter. Yet staying away felt impossible. When he eventually made it back to Yemen, he found a country transformed. Armed groups controlled much of daily life and many young men faced growing pressure to join the fighting.

Realizing there was no future for his wife and two children, Dawod made the hardest decision of his life. He sold everything and left.

What followed were six years of constant movement, including three spent in Greece. Living through a period marked by uncertainty and difficult decisions, Dawod came to understand how much accurate information matters when people are trying to navigate an unfamiliar system and make decisions about their future.

By his second week in Greece, Dawod was already volunteering, translating, guiding people through ‎procedures, and offering reassurance when answers were scarce.‎

Helping others, however, did not ease his own uncertainty. When he arrived in Belgium, Dawod was carrying the hope of a family reunion, a process he had already begun in Greece. After four years apart, seeing his wife and children again was a moment of immense joy, but it also revealed how much time and distance had changed them.

With his family by his side, Belgium was meant to be the place where life would finally settle. But one more hurdle remained. Despite holding protection documents from Greece, Dawod was told he would need to restart the entire asylum procedure.

“I was exhausted,” he says. “People told me I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

After years of moving from country to country, the idea of starting over felt overwhelming. For Dawod, that moment captured what it often means to arrive as a migrant: tired, uncertain, and trying to make sense of an unfamiliar system.

Even at his lowest point, Dawod did not stop helping others. He continued volunteering in reception centres, supporting newly arrived migrants with translation, guidance, and practical advice. After moving to the city of Lier, he joined a local organization assisting vulnerable people, many of whom were living with trauma. He saw his own confusion and fear reflected in the faces of those he helped.

“I didn’t want people to suffer the way I did,” he says. “Even if I could help one person out of ten, it was worth it.”

Over time, Dawod noticed how inaccurate information eroded trust. Many people had received incorrect guidance in the past, while others struggled to adapt to Belgium’s systems. Having lived through these challenges himself, he knew how damaging uncertainty could be.

By then, helping others had become a constant in Dawod’s life. What he lacked was formal training and a deeper understanding of the systems people were trying to navigate.

When Dawod’s path crossed with that of Dr. Othman, founder of the Yemeni community in Antwerp, he was encouraged to join IOM’s Diaspora Community Leaders programme. He immediately saw it as an opportunity to strengthen the work he was already doing.

“The training gave me information I could trust,” he explains. “It helped me support people better and avoid mistakes that can make life even harder for newcomers.”

Funded by Fedasil, Belgium’s Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers, the year-long programme brought together 16 diaspora leaders from countries including Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Cameroon, Brazil and the Philippines. Through workshops and study visits, Dawod moved beyond helping others through lived experience alone to gaining a deeper understanding of asylum procedures, mental health support, protection from violence, human trafficking, and voluntary return.

“Hearing others share their experiences helped me realize I wasn’t the only one facing these challenges,” he says.

When a participant spoke openly about the difficulty of supporting someone through a complex situation, Dawod recognized something in himself.

“I learned that helping others doesn’t mean carrying every problem on your shoulders,” he says. “To support people properly, you also need to take care of yourself.”

By the end of the programme, Dawod noticed changes in how he worked. He felt more confident and structured. He understood better where his role began and where it needed to end. Instead of trying to solve everything himself, he learned how to connect people with the right services and support systems.

“For a long time, I felt like I was just trying to survive,” he says. “Now I feel like I’ve found a purpose and a way to contribute.”

Today, Dawod works with one of Belgium’s leading reception actors, assisting people during the first phase of the asylum process. He sees diaspora community leaders as bridges between cultures, between formal support systems and newcomers, and between fear and understanding.

Looking ahead, Dawod hopes to continue learning and helping others navigate the systems that once overwhelmed him. For his children, he wants to model a different definition of success, one that includes sharing knowledge, supporting others, and giving back to the community.

To those currently feeling lost in the system and discouraged, his message is simple: do not give up.

“Know what you can change,” he says. “Be patient with what you can’t. Persistence and adaptability are key.”

This programme was made possible through funding from Fedasil, Belgium’s Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers.

This story was written by Jozefien Dierynck, Communications Assistant with IOM Belgium and Luxembourg.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — Mohamed and Suheila did not plan to leave their home in Shiraz, southern Iran. But in early 2026, as the situation around them grew increasingly dangerous, staying was no longer an option. “It felt like war,” Mohamed says, describing a constant fear that slowly replaced the sense of safety they once knew.

As parents, their first instinct has always been to protect their child. Their young son, not yet two, laughs softly as he eats a snack, unaware of the uncertainty his parents are trying so hard to keep from him.

Only weeks earlier, the family gathered what remained of their lives and left. There was no time for careful planning or long goodbyes. They carried memories, a few photographs, and important documents — including a vaccination card that was later lost, along with a mobile phone, somewhere along the way.

From Iran, they travelled along the Balkan route to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with their eyes set on Sweden, where Mohamed’s brother has built a new life over the past decade. For Mohamed and Suheila, Europe represents hope — the possibility of stability, safety, and a future their children can grow into.

Now, as they wait, the weight of leaving lingers. There was no final embrace with their mothers before departing. “We didn’t even get to say goodbye properly,” Mohamed recalls. “Just a phone call. It still doesn’t feel real.” Their mothers remain in Iran, following their journey from afar, holding onto hope through brief updates and missed calls.

Back in Shiraz, their life had been stable. Mohamed worked in the oil industry, and Suheila, trained as a psychologist, chose to focus on raising their children. They did not leave in search of opportunity. They left because staying no longer felt safe.

“It’s hard to travel with children,” Mohamed says. “We had a good life. Financially, everything was fine. But security — that was the problem. And when you lose that, you lose everything.”

Their story reflects the experience of many families who have taken this route in recent years. Since 2018, Bosnia and Herzegovina has become a key transit point along the Eastern Mediterranean migration route, receiving people moving in search of safety and stability. Each journey is different, but many share the same urgency — to protect loved ones and find a place where life can begin again.

From the outset, the country’s response, developed with partners like the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has ensured that temporary reception centres offer more than basic assistance. Beyond shelter, food, and hygiene, these centres provide protection services, mental health support, and specialized care for people in vulnerable situations — including children, survivors of violence, and those in need of medical attention.

IOM has supported national authorities in creating sustainable, rights-based solutions built on the belief that everyone deserves safety and dignity, regardless of how long they stay. This approach helps make migration routes safer while reducing the risks of exploitation and harm.

For Mohamed and Suheila, these services offer a brief pause — a moment to rest, recover, and prepare for what comes next. But their journey is far from over. Winter is approaching, and with it, harsher conditions that make travel more dangerous. For now, they wait.

For Mohamed and Suheila, the goal is simple: to create stability and healing for their children. They have given up the comfort of home for the promise of freedom, safety, and the right to choose their path.

Their hopes are clear and grounded. “We are learning English,” Mohamed says. “If we reach Sweden, we will learn the language there too. We just want a normal life — a place where our children can grow up without fear.”

He does not speak about ambition or long-term plans. Instead, he returns to what matters most — safety, stability, and the ability to raise his children in peace.

This story was written by Majda Balić, Media Specialist with IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A small group of women sit together in a community room in Tunisia; they listen closely as a medical professional explains how to detect early signs of breast cancer. For many, it is the first time anyone has spoken to them about preventative healthcare.

“Today I am so happy,” says Kaddy, who arrived in Tunisia from The Gambia. “I’ve never learned this before. If I ever develop cancer, or need to help someone who does, I feel more prepared now.”

For migrants moving across North Africa, reaching a doctor, a counsellor, or receiving reliable health information relevant to their needs is not always straightforward. Financial barriers, legal uncertainty, language differences, and fear of discrimination can make essential care feel out of reach.

Operating along one of the world’s most challenging migration routes, the North Africa Migration and Development (NAMAD) project supports migrants and host communities to meet essential needs. Across Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provides vulnerable migrants with vital health-related support while strengthening local systems to ensure care reaches those who need it most.

In Egypt, IOM works with health authorities to deploy mobile medical convoys that provide essential services, including screenings for infectious diseases and child vaccinations, directly to communities, as navigating public services can be challenging for many migrants.

For Ahlam, a Sudanese mother living in Egypt, the experience brought both relief and reassurance.

“This was the first time my child received vaccination here in Egypt, and it gave me real peace of mind. I was also able to get checked myself, and the whole experience, from registration to receiving care, was smooth and reassuring.”

In Cairo, migrants with health concerns are referred to IOM’s clinic, where medical teams provide thorough consultations, urgent care, and supportive follow-up. When cases require more specialised attention, staff help connect people with partner hospitals, ensuring they continue to receive the care they need.

In Tunisia, IOM medical teams also work closely with national health services to ensure migrants can access essential care through medical consultations, psychological assistance, and referrals for further treatment.

“It’s a whole process of monitoring, support, ensuring treatment, medication intake, additional tests and assessments. We assist migrants with tests, X-rays, everything required,” says Dr. Wael Benjeddou, an IOM Migration Health Physician.

When migrants arrive, doctors conduct medical examinations to assess both immediate and longer-term health needs.

Some arrive after difficult journeys in urgent need of care. “We see many migrants arrive in very serious condition, experiencing respiratory distress or gynaecological emergencies, and they have to be transferred to specialised facilities,” Dr. Benjeddouexplains.

For many migrants who have experienced hardship along migration routes, emotional recovery is just as important.

Alongside medical care, psychosocial support is provided to help migrants recover from difficult experiences. In Tunisia, this includes individual and group counselling, community activities, and child-friendly sessions held in safe spaces within IOM shelters.

“We try to help them regain their smiles and hope,” says Dr. Emna Touil, part of IOM’s medical team.

In Algeria, vulnerable migrants staying at the IOM temporary centre for voluntary return in Algiers take part in mental health and psychosocial support activities designed to help them rebuild confidence and process difficult experiences.

Through counselling, art therapy, and storytelling workshops, women and children find new ways to express themselves and reconnect with their hopes for the future.

“Those activities really help me,” says Gift, a migrant from Nigeria who found support at the centre. “Sometimes when you sit alone, you think too much. But when we do these activities together, it lifts me up.”

IOM also provides psychosocial support to migrants preparing for voluntary return from southern Algeria, many of whom anxiously wait before they can reunite with their families. Through counselling, emotional support, and clear information on the return process, IOM helps people feel safer, more informed, and better prepared for the journey ahead.

These initiatives form part of a holistic approach that combines medical care, psychological support, and practical assistance, recognising that wellbeing is closely tied to dignity, community, and opportunity.

Across North Africa, IOM also works with local institutions and health services to expand access to care and strengthen referral pathways. Training and support for healthcare workers help them better understand the specific needs of migrants, shaped by the challenges they face on their journeys.

From mobile clinics in Egypt to health awareness sessions in Tunisia and tailored mental health support in Algeria, NAMAD shows the impact of meeting people where they are. When people can access care and feel supported, they are better equipped to shape safer and more resilient futures for themselves and their communities.

Through the NAMAD project, funded with UK International Development from the UK government, IOM works in Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia to enhance skills and labour market integration for migrant and host communities. Through targeted training and labour market integration initiatives, IOM strengthens protection mechanisms for vulnerable migrants, including access to safe shelter, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), medical care, cash assistance, and legal counselling.

In a whole-of-route response, NAMAD also works with Guinea, a key country of origin and return, helping adapt skills-development training for returnees in North Africa and raise awareness of opportunities in Guinea and the importance of choosing safe, legal migration routes. Within this approach, access to healthcare remains a critical entry point for protection and recovery.

Find out more about the NAMAD project: https://unitedkingdom.iom.int/msite/namad/

This story was written by Joe Newman, Senior Communications Assistant with IOM UK.

Paramaribo, Suriname — When Siwo Hermien puts on her scrubs at the Thorax Centrum Paramaribo, a specialized division for cardiovascular care within the Academic Hospital Paramaribo, she steps into a role shaped by years of determination — one that now extends beyond the hospital ward and into the classroom.

Since last year, she has been stepping into the classroom to train the next generation of nurses at the Uma Training and Education Institute Suriname (UTOS), passing on knowledge shaped by experience, persistence, and a deep commitment to care.

Siwo didn’t begin her career dreaming of cardiology. “I was interested in administrative work,” she admits. “After not finishing secondary school, I applied to the police and to two health institutions. The Academic Hospital Paramaribo called me, and I started training as a student nurse in 2004.”

The years that followed were demanding. She describes them as intense and formative, requiring discipline and constant learning. “It took perseverance and intense study, but it was a period of growth that shaped me into the nurse and professional I am today.”

Siwo is deeply passionate about her work and has become a role model for younger students. Her greatest achievement as a teacher has been watching UTOS students graduate from its first cohort — a milestone that shows how accessible, hands-on education can broaden access to care professions.

“I felt immense pride knowing I had contributed,” she recalls. Programmes like UTOS are expanding across Suriname, with early cohorts of elderly-care workers and nursing assistants helping to strengthen a growing domestic workforce at a time when additional capacity in healthcare is urgently needed.

At the beginning of 2026, Siwo travelled to Belgium with a small group of Surinamese nursing instructors for a study visitunder the International Organization for Migration (IOM)-led Skills Mobility Partnership (SMP) programme between Belgium and Suriname.

The programme aims to support sustainable and ethical mobility in the healthcare sector while strengthening systems in both countries. A key focus is improving training standards in Suriname by working with Belgian institutions to exchange expertise and refine teaching approaches.

In Belgium, the Surinamese delegation was hosted by the Centre for Adult Education MIRAS and the Higher Institute for Nursing Sint-Elisabeth Turnhout. Over ten days, the group engaged with peers, visited hospitals, family care organizations, and elderly care facilities, and participated in clinical training under student supervision.

“Watching students run group simulations changed my perspective,” says Siwo. “They took much more responsibility for their own learning and worked together.” She explains that this experience highlighted how practical, student-led learning can strengthen confidence and readiness for real clinical environments.

The SMP project between Belgium and Suriname responds to a dual challenge. In Suriname, economic strain and the emigration of trained nurses have deepened shortages of specialized health professionals, increasing the need to invest in local healthcare and education.

At the same time, Belgian healthcare institutions face persistent workforce gaps. In 2024, the national job vacancy rate reached 4.35 per cent, one of the highest in the European Union, with shortages particularly visible in hospitals and long-term care services.

“Programmes like this strengthen health education and care,” she says. “Exchanges allow teachers and professionals to acquire new knowledge, skills, and teaching methods from each other, which ultimately improves both training and patient care.”

By engaging educators and focusing on curricula and standards as a first step, the partnership lays a foundation in which Surinamese graduates can serve effectively at home. It also creates transparent pathways for those who choose to work abroad, ensuring that mobility is ethical and mutually beneficial.

The study visit also highlighted policies that keep doors open for learners who might otherwise be left out and that support the continued professionalization of care systems.

“I was struck that nursing education in Belgium is embedded in the education system,” notes Siwo, adding that financial support mechanisms help ensure that students from different backgrounds can still access training.

In Suriname, shortages of materials and resources remain a daily challenge, and greater recognition for health workers is needed to keep current staff motivated and to encourage future caregivers to enter the profession.

Given these realities, Siwo insists the first investment should be in people. “Our elders contributed for years to building society; investing in elderly care is essential,” she says. “But invest in education too, because that’s the foundation for healthy citizens and well-trained professionals.”

She explains that introducing simulation, case-based teaching, and stronger supervision can better prepare students for the realities of clinical work. “These changes will help students graduate ready for the complexity of real shifts.”

Today, Siwo continues working with the same passion, bringing new skills and renewed motivation to her work. Her experience reflects how targeted partnerships can translate into practical improvements in classrooms and hospitals alike.

“Remember that health professionals are the heart of the system,” she says. “Without motivated and well-supported caregivers, quality care cannot exist. Invest in people — in education, appreciation, and good working conditions.”

This study visit took place as part of the Skills Mobility Partnership project between Suriname and Belgium. The project is implemented by IOM in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Suriname and is funded by the Belgian Immigration Office and co-funded by the European Union.

This story was written by Jozefien Dierynck, Communications Assistant with IOM Belgium and Luxembourg.

Kampala, Uganda — Sitting in the waiting area of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC) in Kampala, Hellen, a mother of three, scrolls through her phone while keeping an eye on her children nearby. Like many refugees preparing to start a new chapter abroad, she is thinking about the many details that must fall into place before the journey begins, including health checks and vaccinations.

For Girmay and her family, a simple tool on their phone is helping make that journey easier. During their health assessment at the MHAC, the family was introduced to the IOM Vaccine App and downloaded it after receiving counselling at the clinic. It was their first experience using a digital vaccination record.

Designed to be simple and accessible, the IOM Vaccine App allows migrants to store and access their vaccination records directly from their phones. For families preparing to travel, this means fewer worries about losing important documents and more time to focus on what lies ahead.

“The app shows all the vaccines we received, and we can also read more about each of them,” Girmay says. “When we visited our family doctor and were asked about our vaccinations, we just opened the app instead of carrying documents.”

For many migrants, vaccination records are essential documents when preparing to travel or resettle in a new country. They may be required for travel, school enrollment, employment, or accessing health services. These documents can easily be misplaced or damaged during long journeys.

The IOM Vaccine App offers a practical alternative, allowing migrants to securely store and access their vaccination records on their phones, receive reminders from clinics, and report any symptoms after vaccination. This reduces the need to carry physical documents and helps families stay informed about their health.

“Now I feel confident,” Girmay explains. “I can share the vaccines I received easily since it’s all on my phone.”

Reducing both the physical and mental load with the IOM Vaccine App means that people like Girmay can spend their time on themselves and their families instead of tracking dozens of papers. Photo: IOM

The IOM Vaccine App was launched in April 2024 and is now used in 22 countries. Available in 13 languages, it helps migrants across the world access their vaccination information more easily.

Beyond convenience, digital tools like this also strengthen health systems. By improving record-keeping and supporting better tracking of vaccination coverage, clinics are able to respond more effectively and ensure that people receive the care they need.

For families preparing to move, the process can feel overwhelming. There are forms to complete, appointments to attend, and decisions to make. In this context, even small improvements can have a meaningful impact.

For Girmay, the app is more than just a digital record. It is a way to stay organized but also supports an easier entry to school for her children while the administered vaccines keep them safe from many infections. It also reduces stress and allows her to move forward with greater confidence.

As she prepares for the next stage of her journey, the information she needs is already in her hand — clear, accessible, and ready whenever it is required.

For migrants balancing many responsibilities as they prepare to move to a new country, small tools can make a meaningful difference. For Girmay and her family, the app has become a simple but reliable way to keep important health information within reach as they prepare for the next chapter of their journey.

This story was written by Joyce Ritah Nakato, Communications Associate with IOM Uganda and Dorothy Njagi, Migration Health Officer (Education and Communication) IOM HQ

Amman, Jordan — Across farms, factories, correctional centers, and remote border areas, healthcare services are often inaccessible. However, mobile clinics — equipped with X-ray vans, laboratories, and healthcare teams — carry more than just medical equipment. They carry hope, too.

Hadeel Al Dardour, an IOM health worker specializing in community awareness, stands at the forefront of this effort. Working alongside the Ministry of Health and supported by IOM, her team operates three mobile clinics that travel across Jordan, reaching communities that would otherwise remain underserved. A portable X-ray system enables the team to carry out diagnostic screening even in areas where access is difficult.

“Our goal is simple,” says Hadeel. “We try to meet people where they are, especially those who might otherwise delay or avoid seeking care, including women, children, older people, and migrant workers.”

Behind this work are powerful human stories that reflect what real access to care truly means. Among those given access to care was Umm Saleh, an 87-year-old woman from Gaza living in Jordan. She discovered she had TB after a mobile clinic screening.

“That day, I was afraid,” she recalls. “But the support I received helped me continue treatment until I recovered. Now I am back with my family and grandchildren, and I feel well again.”

Her experience reflects the importance of early detection, particularly for conditions like TB where timely treatment can prevent complications and further transmission.

During one field visit alone, Hadeel’s team screened around 150 migrants. “Every day, these clinics connect people with services that might otherwise remain out of reach, from diagnosis to follow-up care,” she explains.

Information sessions, interactive educational materials, and collaboration with local charity organizations help reduce stigma and encourage people to come forward for testing. These efforts also play a key role in building trust, particularly in communities where awareness of TB remains limited.

Dr. Fayez Al Bashtawi, Head of the Chest Diseases and Migrant Health Department at the Irbid Health Directorate, oversees the care of TB patients. He describes the mobile clinics as a turning point in how services are delivered.

Screening begins with X-ray imaging conducted in the mobile clinics, followed by AI-supported analysis using CAD4TB+. When needed, samples are collected for laboratory testing, and suspected cases are referred for confirmation and treatment.

“Care no longer depends on patients reaching facilities,” he explains. “It now reaches them. This allows earlier detection, often before symptoms worsen, and ensures people can begin treatment without delay.”

One of his patients, Imran, sought testing after experiencing chest pain and a persistent cough.

“When I found out about my illness, I was very worried,” he says. “But starting treatment early made a difference. The mobile clinic made the process simple, and the follow-up helped me stay on track.”

Dr. Al Bashtawi notes that mobile clinics have contributed to reducing the spread of TB while supporting both host communities and migrants. By combining early detection with consistent follow-up, these services help interrupt transmission and improve recovery outcomes.

Awareness campaigns further reinforce these efforts by encouraging early testing and contact tracing. Together, these approaches strengthen prevention at the community level and improve understanding of the disease.

IOM is also strengthening the capacity of medical personnel. In 2024, ten doctors received specialized TB detection training through Egypt’s Ministry of Health, enhancing their ability to diagnose, treat, and manage cases effectively.

For many migrant workers, access to healthcare depends as much on availability as on proximity.

“The mobile clinics have made a real difference,” says Rina, a migrant from Bangladesh. “It is easier for us to get checked without worrying about travel or cost. It makes a difference to know these services are available.”

Under the Middle East Response (MER) Programme, funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, IOM supports the Ministry of Health in providing TB medications, diagnostic testing, and referrals for patients requiring advanced care at Annoor Sanatorium. This support ensures that migrants and refugees are identified early and remain connected to treatment and follow-up services.

As these mobile clinics continue to travel across Jordan, they are reshaping how healthcare is delivered, closing gaps in access and ensuring that distance does not determine who receives care. For the people they reach, these services are not just about treatment, but about being seen, supported, and included in a system that works for everyone.

This story was written by Feda’a Al Qatatshah, Senior Media and Communications Associate at IOM Jordan.

Adamawa State, Nigeria — When the young mother arrived in labour, there was no time to lose. She had already been struggling for hours, with no hospital nearby and no reliable access to skilled maternal care. For many women in Northeastern Nigeria, that kind of delay can be deadly.

Her only hope was Joy, a 25-year-old midwife at Gyawana Primary Health Care Centre in Adamawa State, in northeastern Nigeria. Standing before her was a woman in urgent need, and in Joy’s hands rested the lives of both mother and child.

Drawing on her training and staying calm under pressure, Joy guided the mother through each step of the delivery. Within hours, a healthy baby was born and placed in the arms of a woman who had feared she might never survive to meet her child.

“That moment reaffirmed why I do this work,” Joy says. “Without the training, I might not have known how to act so quickly. That woman and her baby might not be here.”

It was the kind of outcome that would have been far less likely only months before.

Joy had always wanted to be a midwife, but for a long time, limited training and few opportunities stood in her way. She had the determination, but not yet the support needed to fully step into the role her community so badly needed.

“I had seen too many women suffer complications that could have been prevented,” she recalls. “That stayed with me.” The shortage of skilled nurses and midwives meant that moments that should have been joyful often became frightening for families.

“Some would travel for hours to urban areas, hoping for better care.,” she explains. “It broke my heart knowing I lacked the skills to help them.”

Since the humanitarian crisis erupted in Northeastern Nigeria, conflict and displacement have strained health systems and disrupted access to urgently needed care. In Adamawa State, internally displaced persons, returnees, and host community members depend on overstretched facilities not designed to support so many people in need. Government stakeholders have identified an urgent need to strengthen primary health care centres, train healthcare staff, secure essential drugs and equipment, and establish functional referral systems.

In 2024, IOM started working with local authorities on a comprehensive intervention designed to rebuild healthcare capacity from the ground up: rehabilitating health facilities, equipping them with necessary medical tools, building the skills of healthcare workers, and strengthening community health administration.

Working closely with state and local governments, IOM’s approach builds on existing community resilience and promotes local ownership to ensure sustainability. The work forms part of a broader durable solutions and recovery effort aimed at restoring essential services in displacement-affected areas and supporting both displaced people and host communities.

Joy was among the first selected for intensive training. Alongside dozens of other nurses and midwives, she participated in practical sessions covering neonatal resuscitation, emergency obstetric care, maternity protocols, and infection prevention.

The programme was built around the realities healthcare workers face every day in these communities. It focused on what happens when referrals are delayed, equipment is limited, and the nearest higher-level facility may be far away.

Since completing the programme, Joy has become a source of reassurance and knowledge in her community. She conducts regular health education sessions for pregnant women, teaching prenatal care, nutrition, and the warning signs that demand immediate attention. She also supports other local health workers, sharing what she has learned and encouraging stronger maternal and child health services across the area.

That impact is already being felt. Following her efforts, birth-related complications in her village have reportedly declined. Her commitment to serving those in need has helped save lives, spread safe practices, and uphold the dignity of displaced women and other mothers seeking care.

In a state emerging from years of crisis and displacement, skilled healthcare workers like Joy represent something vital: a pathway to restoring a basic right, and with it, dignity and stability. As facilities rebuild, and displaced, returnee and host community families receive care side by side, the foundations for durable solutions are quietly being laid through stronger services, renewed confidence, and communities beginning to heal.

“Education is the key to saving lives,” Joy emphasizes. “With more support, and continued investment in healthcare workers in rural areas, we can give every mother and baby the best chance at life.”

Through the IOM and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) partnership, a network of over 50 health facilities has now been supported across Adamawa State, helping ensure that even remote and vulnerable communities can access essential healthcare services and skilled professionals.

This story was written by Jeremiah Iyitor, Communications Assistant with IOM Nigeria.

Vahdat, Tajikistan — Like many Afghan refugees seeking a safe haven, Samad has lost count of how many years he has spent in limbo trying to find safety and stability for himself and his family. Still, he remembers with painful clarity the moment his breathing changed, and with it, everything else.

In Afghanistan, his son worked as an English interpreter for an international organization and faced persecution because of his work. To protect his family, in 2023 Samad decided to move to Tajikistan with his children and grandchildren, where they were granted official refugee status. Upon arrival, his health deteriorated.

“When I started having trouble breathing, that’s when the fear was strongest. A person can endure many things, but when your health begins to fail, everything feels uncertain,” says Samad. His daughter-in-law, Sahar, who lives with him in Vahdat, a busy city in western Tajikistan where many Afghan refugees have made their home, was the first to notice his symptoms — persistent cough, weakness and labored breathing.

Concerned for both Samad and her children, she contacted a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) social worker from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mobile team in Vahdat — a service the family had already come to rely on for support.

During the initial examination, the medical team diagnosed Samad with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). He was immediately referred to a pulmonologist and placed under medical supervision.

“When I heard the diagnosis, I was very scared for my children,” recalls Sahar. “The doctor explained everything, and I immediately set aside separate dishes and towels. Now I pay close attention to hygiene every day.”

For vulnerable families like Samad’s, early diagnosis and continuous support can make the difference between life and death. It can also prevent fear and uncertainty from spreading through an already fragile household.

“Tuberculosis remains a significant public health concern in Tajikistan, particularly among vulnerable populations, including migrants and refugees who may face barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment,” explains Victor Lutenco, IOM Tajikistan Chief of Mission, who guided Samad through the medical recommendations and helped him organize follow-up care.

In 2024 alone, a total of 4,151 new cases of TB were reported in Tajikistan. This highlights the importance of strengthening awareness among both local communities and migrants, to ensure timely access to diagnosis, treatment, and care.

For Samad, the weeks that followed were marked by discipline, caution, and perseverance. He followed his treatment strictly, even on days when fatigue weighed heavily on him. Little by little, the tightness in his chest began to ease. The coughing became less severe. The fear that had settled over the family slowly gave way to something gentler — relief.

“When I was told I had tuberculosis, I was very scared,” he says. “But the treatment gave me hope. Now each breath comes more easily, and with that comes the feeling that life can continue.”

With a team that includes a psychologist, social worker, and community mobilizer, IOM mobile units offer counselling, guidance, and referrals to essential services. They help reduce stigma, strengthen trust, and ensure that people know they are not alone.

“Strengthening early screening, ensuring uninterrupted treatment, and raising community awareness are essential to improving recovery rates,” highlights Nilufar. “Mobile clinics and community-based outreach play a critical role in reaching underserved populations and supporting national efforts to control and eliminate tuberculosis,” he remarks.

For families like Samad’s, this support means more than access to services. It means being listened to when fear takes hold. It means receiving care before a condition becomes a crisis. And it means finding, even in displacement, a measure of safety, dignity and hope for what lies ahead.

Through the project “Improving Migration Governance and Access to Services for Displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Central Asia”, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), IOM brings essential mental health and psychosocial services closer to communities. Mobile teams operating in Vahdat, Rudaki, Kushoniyon, Bokhtar, and Jabbor Rasulov districts provide support to both Afghan refugees and Tajik communities.

Text and photos by Nilufar Shekhova, IOM Communications Specialist in Tajikistan.

Cali, Colombia — When Gladys Yanet arrived in the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón neighborhood, on Colombia’s Pacific side, there were no streets, just mud. Four decades ago, every time it rained, the entire community prepared to endure another flood.

Dirty water flooded into homes, while clean water was a luxury. Residents walked long distances to collect just a couple of gallons, barely enough to meet their most basic needs.

That contrast between abundance and scarcity shaped her life. And it planted a certainty deep within her: no one moves forward alone. In a neighborhood built by people displaced by the armed conflict and now home to thousands of Venezuelan migrants, the only way to face the mud, the floods and the lack of water was to do so together.

With time, that conviction became her compass. It led her to organize, to bring people together and to build networks. And, without initially intending to, it led her to become a leader.

The Rise of a Leader

Four years ago, Gladys stepped forward and became the treasurer of the local Community Action Board (JAC), an association of neighbors who work collectively for the wellbeing of the community. She wasn’t starting from scratch. She had already founded Mujer Pujante por la Vida, a foundation that grew out of her swimsuit tailoring business.

What began as an entrepreneurial venture evolved into a workshop where girls, boys and women, many of them Venezuelan migrants, learn skills and gain confidence.

For Gladys, sewing was never just sewing. It was a way to unite, stitch by stitch, the lives of those who arrived searching for a fresh start. Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia, is home to around 129,000 Venezuelan residents, and those threads have helped open new pathways to livelihoods.

Care in Every Detail

Within the Community Action Board, Gladys pushed for the neighborhood’s transformation, starting with two key communal spaces: the community dining hall and the caseta — a large room that houses the kitchen and storage area. Both played important social roles, but both faced many limitations. The work was done with love, but with very little.

This changed thanks to CoNexo, a project supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which enabled the renovation of these spaces and provided the infrastructure needed to deliver safe, quality services. The impact is not abstract. It is visible, tangible and easy to see in everyday life.

The storage area, for example, went from an improvised corner to a fully organized system. And order speaks. The shelves are full but never overcrowded: pineapples, lemons, eggs, grains, oils and spices rest in designated places, as if each item knows exactly where it belongs.

Gladys moves easily among the shelves, opens the refrigerator, checks the supplies and smiles. This transformation is about more than storage. It reflects stronger care practices and higher standards for the whole space. It is the guarantee that every plate served honors something deeper than hunger: dignity.

Safe Spaces, Shared Meals

There are concrete results. Today, the community kitchen can pass any sanitary inspection with confidence. Every meal is safe and nutritious.

A few steps away, clean water runs over a new sink. A child carefully washes his hands. At the far end, another child repeats the gesture. It’s a simple, everyday scene, yet in a neighborhood that spent decades fighting for water access, it feels profound.

The bathrooms were also completely renovated. A dedicated space was created to wash mops and cleaning tools. Cleaning areas were strictly separated from food preparation zones.

Inside, the community dining hall is ready: white tables and arranged chairs. People begin to arrive. Two men sit face to face, eating slowly and talking. Their plates are filled with meat, rice, soup and juice. The scene shows that this place nourishes more than the body. It offers routine, comfort and a sense of belonging. Here, in this renewed space, routines take shape, bonds are built and a community becomes stronger.

Every infrastructure change responds to a simple principle: caring for the environment is caring for people. These quality standards allow the dining hall to serve nearly 200 people daily, with the assurance that each plate offers safe food.

From Water to Wellbeing

The true impact of these transformations doesn’t lie in shelves or walls, but in the driving force behind it all: Gladys. Today, her eyes reveal a serene satisfaction. She walks through the kitchen, checks details, stops by the sewing workshop. She is no longer alone.

Her smile appears everywhere, not as a pose, but as a consequence. It is the expression of someone who has lived through mud, who knows the weight of water and who now opens doors. The neighborhood is no longer the same. And she knows it.

In the backyard, the story continues. There stands the community garden, a space where neighbors grow fresh produce, but where they also nurture belonging, collaboration and the possibility of a better future.

“Sometimes I close my eyes and remember the floods from years ago,” Gladys says. “Then I look around and see 80 people eating here every day, and more than 100 children arriving with smiles to a clean, welcoming place. That’s when I know every bit of effort was worth it. Alfonso Bonilla Aragón is no longer a neighborhood marked by floods and violence. It is a neighborhood full of life.”

Here, water is no longer a threat or a scarcity. It is a starting point. It runs through sinks, becomes food, sustains the garden and shapes daily life. What once overflowed now sustains.

And in this journey, from mud to structure, from need to dignity, one certainty remains: when a community cares for itself, the future stops being a promise and quietly begins to take shape.

This story was written by Carolina Castelblanco, Communications Assistant, and Jorge Posada, Communications Consultant with IOM Colombia with photos taken by Carolina Castelblanco M.

Kigali, Rwanda — On a lively street in Kigali, a kindergarten painted in bright colours fills with the sounds of children arriving for the day. Drawings cover the classroom walls. Teachers move between rooms preparing lessons while parents pause briefly at the gate before heading to work. At the entrance stands Josephine, greeting each family as they arrive.

Most of the staff are women from the community. The school has quickly become more than a place for children to learn. It is also a workplace and a gathering space — the realization of an idea Josephine carried with her for years.

Josephine, a mother of four, always loved teaching, even though she never had the chance to pursue it professionally.

“The passion kept calling me,” she says. “Even when life seemed to pull me toward other responsibilities.”

Her plans changed when one of her children fell ill and needed specialized medical treatment abroad. Josephine travelled to Belgium for what she thought would be a short visit.

Instead, the medical procedures took longer than expected. Josephine was pregnant at the time and ended up giving birth there.

“I went to Belgium for my child’s treatment,” she recalls. “I thought I would come back immediately. But the procedures lasted around six months and I had to give birth there. In the end, I stayed for about a year.”

Being in a foreign country with a sick child and a newborn was isolating. The winter felt especially long.

“At home, when you give birth, people bring you sombe, a warm soup made from cassava leaves,” she says. “There, I was alone. It’s hard when you are on your own.”

Throughout that period, Josephine focused on one goal: returning home to Rwanda, where her husband and other children were waiting.

“I never felt staying in Belgium was the right option,” she says. “Being far away made home feel even more precious.”

Members of the Rwandan community in Belgium supported her and encouraged her to contact IOM Belgium, where she learned about the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme.

“People were very empathetic about my situation,” she says. “They suggested I speak with IOM, and that is how I first connected with them.”

While in Belgium, Josephine often accompanied her eldest daughter to a kindergarten in Brussels. Watching her daughter adapt and learn sparked an idea.

“When my newborn was two months old, I started taking her older sister to kindergarten,” she says. “I saw tremendous changes in her. I kept asking myself why we did not have something like this in Rwanda.”

She began imagining a place where children could learn, eat well, rest, and be cared for while their parents worked.

The idea stayed with her after she returned home.

With reintegration assistance through IOM Rwanda’s AVRR programme, support from relatives and friends, and a small bank loan, Josephine decided to open her own kindergarten.

“The AVRR assistance alone was not enough to start a school like this,” she says. “But it gave me the confidence to begin. Friends and family believed in the idea, and even the bank supported it.”

After months of preparation, Josephine opened the kindergarten in July 2025. She expected a slow start.

Instead, the response was immediate.

“I received around 400 applications,” she says. “It showed me how many parents were looking for a safe and nurturing place for their children.”

Today the kindergarten enrolls 30 children and employs 15 staff members, 14 of them women from the local community.

“In all my life, this is the first time I feel truly happy with what I am doing,” Josephine says. “Imagine waking up every morning and seeing children arrive full of energy. It fills me with joy.”

For Josephine, the assistance she received through AVRR was the first step in rebuilding.

“The support motivated me,” she says. “It helped me create a future for my children and for others too.”

Yet she is already thinking ahead.

“This is not something that stops with a kindergarten,” she says. “One day I hope to build a full school complex — primary, secondary, maybe even a university.”

Each morning in Kigali, the school gates open and the classrooms fill once again. What began as an unexpected year abroad has become the starting point for something new at home.

This story was written by Theogene Cyiza, Senior Media and Communications Associate with IOM Rwanda.