Yemeni Youth Abroad: Challenges and Opportunities for Empowerment

Hebah Mohammed – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

In a world experiencing rapid change and multiple challenges, Yemeni youth abroad remain a symbol of determination and perseverance. Their experiences are diverse, stemming from both legal and illegal migration decisions. They embark on a journey seeking stability and success in new environments, facing significant challenges.

Empowering these young people and enabling them to become a strong pillar in their host communities is just as important as achieving their dreams. Through the efforts of local governments and civil society organizations, workshops, courses, and seminars are being organized to strengthen the economic, cultural, and social aspects of these young people’s lives, so they can become active contributors to building and developing their communities.

However, the challenges facing Yemeni youth abroad are not limited to language and culture; they extend to various fields, including employment, education, and social integration. These challenges represent gateways that require comprehensive intervention to ensure the realization of these young people’s aspirations.

The Current State of Yemeni Youth in Migrant Lands

Between homeland and foreign land, the reality of Yemeni migrant youth is revealed. They carry a garden of hope and longing for home in their hearts, bravely and resiliently facing the challenges of migration. They search for a drop of safety in the ocean of refugees. Their stories blend hope and hardship, the search for life and belonging, in a never-ending journey to gain freedom and dignity in a new land that calls to them.

Professor Dr. Ayub Al-Hammadi, a professor of artificial intelligence at Magdeburg University in Germany, says: “Most Yemeni youths attribute their significant interest in migration, through legal and illegal means, to improving economic opportunities, escaping instability and political conflict. Some seek better education, while others search for an alternative homeland due to a loss of hope and societal frustration. The common denominator for all is the economic and security factors. Therefore, a significant percentage of young people are willing to risk traveling without official papers or resorting to smuggling to reach the West.”

Al-Hammadi believes that young people see all signs of failure in Yemen, the biggest obstacle to achieving their dreams and enjoying a better life. This is one side of the equation. The other is the success of young people in their adopted homelands after arriving and the importance of following a well-defined plan. This is where the suffering, effort, and exhaustion become apparent. Young people only reap the rewards of expatriation if they understand their new home and its tools.

Anwar Dahaq, a Yemeni migrant and head of the Youth of Peace organization, also shared his insights: “Based on the experiences of Yemeni youth abroad, there are significant differences in situations depending on the country they live in. For example, young people in Arab countries may not face language barriers, but they might struggle to find suitable jobs or enough financial support to meet their basic needs.”

He continued: “In contrast, young people who have settled in some European countries often receive social and economic support that helps them integrate better. This support may include educational and training programs, suitable job opportunities, and psychological support to help them overcome challenges.”

Regarding the emigration of Yemeni youth, Mustafa Nasr, head of the Center for Economic Studies and Media, said: “The emigration of young people represents a drain on the country’s resources and energy, especially the brains of young people, particularly those with qualifications or a medium to high level of competence and professionalism who leave Yemen. This drain is similar to the outflow of capital due to conflicts.”

He added that although there are some benefits to emigration, such as the training of a large number of young people who leave for Europe, America, or Canada, as these countries offer significant opportunities for training and capacity building, the problem lies in the lack of return of these skills and abilities to Yemen. Even if the situation stabilizes, the return rate is low, according to historical experience.

He pointed out that despite the positive aspects of remittances, none of these benefits compare to the loss of Yemen’s skilled workforce abroad due to forced emigration. This represents a significant loss for Yemen and reflects the serious challenges the country faces as a result of this drain, which negatively affects its development and growth.

Himyar Al-Ja’afari is a young Yemeni who left his homeland under harsh conditions and temporarily settled in China, where he achieved some of his dreams. He began his journey in 2013, leaving Yemen for China due to political and economic unrest and ongoing conflicts in his country, seeking safety and educational opportunities.

Life wasn’t easy there. Everything was different: the environment, the language, and the culture. However, he was quick-witted and adaptable, proving himself as a Yemeni youth who leaves a positive impact wherever he goes. After that, he moved to Canada in 2023, after many challenges and difficulties, such as adapting to new languages and cultural differences. He managed to adapt and learn both English and Chinese fluently.

He completed his postgraduate studies with distinction and became actively involved in serving his community abroad, focusing on crucial development projects, especially those related to children and women, and working to improve their skills as the most important element in any society.

He continued his educational journey in China and achieved remarkable success, working in business management and holding a prominent position in a major multinational company based in Hong Kong. The great encouragement and productive motivation he received there made him an important figure contributing to community service development, unlike in his homeland, Yemen, where young people haven’t found opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and potential in serving the community due to many factors the country lacks.

He founded a charitable organization aimed at providing educational and social support to disadvantaged groups, providing multilingual training programs and computer education, as well as offering university scholarships to those in need.

Himyar was awarded the “Hong Kong Youth Spirit Award” in 2020 for his outstanding efforts and was included in the list of prominent figures under 30 in 2019. He worked as an active human rights advocate, organizing lectures to raise awareness of racial equality issues. In 2023, he decided to move to Canada with his family in search of safety and promising opportunities. He also holds an important position in a government-funded civil organization serving new immigrants to Canada, contributing to resettlement services and social support for the community.

Empowering Youth and Key Opportunities

Regarding services available to Yemeni youth abroad to support their economic and social goals, Al-Hammadi emphasizes: “No one gives you anything unless you strive for it yourself. It’s not a lottery. If you succeed, it’s your effort; if you fail, it’s because you didn’t understand the groundwork and tools. So, define what you want. The first step in the West is mastering the language—it’s the key to every opportunity. After language, you’ll find training opportunities. Don’t hesitate, even if the financial return isn’t immediately obvious.”

He continues: “Building yourself creates a real opportunity to master something important and build a meaningful career. Even if you return to your homeland, you’ll have invested your time in self-development as capital. But if you emigrate just to get rich and make money without those goals, you’re like a fish trying to climb a tree. The goal of emigrating to the West should be empowerment and self-building. The Arab region may not offer many training opportunities, so freelancing might be a better option.”

Regarding opportunities for empowering migrant youth, Al-Hammadi explains that these are offered through government institutions, various programs, and companies seeking to select suitable individuals for technical and vocational training, with a monthly salary of around €1100 for three years. After that, financial circumstances improve because the young person has qualifications.

He adds: “Through this, many can transform their lives for the better by building their own projects, whether in electricity, plumbing, mechanics, or other currently lucrative technical professions. Foreigners can then excel in the market independently, but without mastering the language, it’s pointless, and they won’t be able to secure jobs or advance in their profession.”

Dahaq believes that services available to Yemeni youth abroad vary greatly depending on the country they live in. In Arab countries, migrant youth face significant challenges, as these countries lack comprehensive support programs.

He points out that some training courses are offered by international organizations, such as the UN’s International Organization for Migration, but these often focus on basic skills and don’t provide comprehensive programs for full integration or strong economic support.

He continues: “In contrast, European countries offer a wide range of services aimed at supporting migrants in achieving their economic and social goals. These services include learning the local language, essential for successful integration, plus training programs to prepare young people for the job market.”

He mentions a friend, an IT graduate, who struggled to find work because he needed to learn the new country’s language. After learning the language, he received specialized training for 15 months that helped him update his skills to match developments in his field. Thanks to this, he got a stable job and no longer needed government assistance.

He also emphasizes that many organizations and institutions in European countries focus on empowering migrant youth, including Yemenis, through education and training. These entities focus on integrating migrants into society, starting with teaching the local language and then preparing them for university study or vocational training.

Regarding government policies and programs supporting Yemeni youth abroad, Al-Hammadi says that financial and motivational opportunities are available to everyone, but many don’t benefit as needed. Years may pass, and some remain without language or profession, living stagnant lives, as if trapped in a cycle. The desired comfortable life starts with learning and acquiring skills; then, an individual can build their future.

Dahaq also believes that non-governmental organizations working in migrant communities are few, and their programs are often limited to basic services like paperwork or translating official letters. While important, these services don’t provide the empowerment young people need to achieve their professional and economic goals. In other words, the available support is often insufficient to help young people build a sustainable future or effectively integrate into the new society.

He stresses the urgent need for more comprehensive and diverse programs targeting Yemeni youth abroad, including education, vocational training, and job opportunities, not just temporary basic services.

Al-Hammadi points to the need for organizations to offer comprehensive motivational and educational programs that help young people acquire the skills necessary to succeed in a new environment and focus on providing radical solutions that help them achieve independence and professional development.

Common Challenges

Hamood Al-Sabahi, a migrant in Europe, says: “For many migrants, from Yemen or elsewhere, emigration wasn’t a holiday; it was a desperate search for work, to support those they left behind. Their journeys are filled with pain, debt, and commitments. Humans crave security and peace of mind; without them, they become destructive. But these individuals decided to be forces for good.”

He continues: “They left behind conflict, hatred, and racism. They gave up their money, property, and relationships—leaving a trail of emotions and memories. Migrants and refugees aren’t just a group; they’re the elite, the conscience of nations whose strength has been scattered.”

Journalist Ali Al-Sabahi, founder of the General Union of Migrants Association, notes that many migrants face serious residency problems in numerous countries. A huge number suffer mentally from having their rights violated and being scammed—dozens of cases exist.

Al-Sabahi points out the neglect shown by Yemeni embassies toward their citizens, often hiring foreigners instead of prioritizing Yemenis for employment. Also, grants offered by countries through embassies are, unfortunately, manipulated and distributed unfairly.

He also mentions that a significant number have been kidnapped by human traffickers; some lost their lives in forests, seas, and rivers, with no one asking about them.