Goto main content

Yasser: losing everything at 12

Explosive weapons Rehabilitation
Yemen

Yasser, 12, was at home finishing his school work, as he did every night. Suddenly, a bomb tore off his leg and killed his father. Supported by Humanity and Inclusion, the little boy is now fighting to rebuild his life. 

Yasser, 12, during a rehabilitation session at the Sana'a centre

Yasser, 12, during a rehabilitation session at the Sana'a centre | HI

In Yemen, families are suffering the devastating impact of a war that has nothing to do with them. Yasser is only 12 years old: after the bombing, he woke to find his leg had been amputated in hospital.

A sacrificed childhood

Yasser is a boy who loved to play football with his friends. He spent a lot of time with his father and was very close to him. One evening, as they were doing Yasser's homework together on the roof of the family’s apartment, the bombs began to fall. Yasser woke up in hospital with one leg missing. His house had been destroyed. And his father was dead. 

Support from HI

Before the bombing, Yasser was an energetic, enthusiastic, outgoing child. His amputation, the destruction of his home and the sudden loss of his father plunged him into depression. When they met him at the Sana'a Rehabilitation Centre, HI’s teams arranged for him to follow a rehabilitation care protocol until he could be fitted with a prosthesis. In a state of shock, he had also lost interest in life and was given therapy to help him overcome the series of losses he had suffered. 

Hope of a new life

Today, Yasser cries far less. He can walk with his prosthesis, which has put a smile back on his face. He is becoming more outgoing and taking care of himself. He has also returned to school. With his prothesis, he can play football with his classmates again – and he’s a talented player. 

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

In more than a third of countries worldwide, civilians are victims of explosive weapons
© HI
Explosive weapons Protect vulnerable populations Rights

In more than a third of countries worldwide, civilians are victims of explosive weapons

The annual report of the Explosive Weapons Monitor reveals that civilians in 74 countries are affected by bombing and shelling. Civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure are increasing as armed conflicts and geopolitical tensions rise, at the expense of international humanitarian law. 

The Ottawa Treaty is crucially important to reinforcing Canada’s resolve and protecting civilian lives
© A.Eggerstorfer / HI
Explosive weapons Prevention Protect vulnerable populations Rights

The Ottawa Treaty is crucially important to reinforcing Canada’s resolve and protecting civilian lives

The looming threat of Russia has led to five Eastern European members announcing they will withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty in the last months, marking the first time any country has left the agreement and prompting concerns about its future.

Mozambique is picking itself up four months after Cyclone Chido
© HI
Emergency Health Prevention Rehabilitation

Mozambique is picking itself up four months after Cyclone Chido

In December 2024, northern Mozambique was hit by a powerful cyclone. HI has stepped in to bring relief to the population, providing psychological support and helping to prevent the spread of disease.