Her journey into humanitarian work began after years of serving in hospitals in Aden, where she witnessed the struggles vulnerable communities face in accessing healthcare.
“In Aden, I worked at a private hospital,” she said. “I found that many people couldn’t afford treatment. That reality pushed me to find a way to help those left behind.”
She decided to relocate to Ma’rib, a city sheltering displaced people and a key transit hub for migrants from the Horn of Africa through Yemen, with a clear goal: to serve those who couldn’t afford medical treatment.
‘Migrants who reach us are traumatised’
Dr. Nouf found her calling at the centre, which provides primary healthcare services to vulnerable groups, especially those on the move.
“Migrants who reach us are traumatised,” she explained. “Whether it’s hunger, fear of death or the unknown, it results in physical, psychological or neurological shocks.”
Many arrive with serious injuries. Women often carry visible and invisible scars from abuse suffered along irregular migration routes.
“There are times when I emotionally struggle with what I see and hear,” she said. “But helping these people and watching them recover fuels my passion and determination to continue.”
Listening to their stories filled with pain and resilience, Dr. Nouf does everything she can to help, assessing each case, providing emergency support, and when needed, referring patients to specialised services. From treatment for contagious diseases to care for physical and psychological traumas, MRP also offers protection services for survivors and victims of violence, exploitation, and abuse.
From young migrant to aid worker
Dr. Nouf is not alone in this mission. She works with a team of dedicated colleagues, among them Khalid, a 22-year-old Ethiopian whose migration journey to Ma’rib is a testament to resilience and compassion.
Khalid arrived in Yemen in 2021, heartbroken after his school in Ethiopia refused to let him return due to illness-related absence. He left Ethiopia with smugglers, enduring a grueling trek through the desert. Upon reaching Aden, he found no assistance, so he continued to Ma’rib where some of his relatives live.
In Ma’rib, Khalid was welcomed by his community, who brought him clothes and hosted him. He began working as a cleaner at a local hospital, a job he held for three years.
‘I’ve been through the same experience’
At the hospital, Khalid encountered other migrants seeking treatment and advocated for their care. He spoke with administrators, urging them to treat these individuals for free. His reputation grew, and soon, many in need turned to Khalid for help.
“I help other migrants because I’ve been through the same experience,” he said. “Support can make the suffering less.”
Eventually, Khalid received an opportunity to work in the MRP, helping migrants access services and providing translation support.
“People arrive here suffering from poor nutrition, amoebiasis, and malaria. Some bear injuries caused during torture for ransom,” he said. “I am thankful to the donors who keep this facility running. It saves lives every day through vital healthcare services.”
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