Muktar’s Inspiring Journey of Recovery from the Struggles of Irregular Migration

Born in Denguro Woreda in Oromia region’s Wolega area, Muktar was forced to leave school in the eighth grade due to conflict and insecurity in his hometown.

Determined to support his family, he worked on farms before moving to Addis Ababa, where he found work as a dishwasher in a hotel. However, the low income left him yearning for a better future.

Encouraged by his older brother who had been living in Sudan and returned to Ethiopia, Muktar made the difficult decision to migrate irregularly in search of better work opportunities in Sudan. Alongside a friend, he set off on a journey to Sudan, where they worked as seasonal labourers harvesting crops.

For four months, they toiled under the sun, but life took a devastating turn when Muktar’s identification documents were confiscated, and he was assaulted, leaving him physically and emotionally scarred.

In July 2025, Muktar’s journey came to an abrupt halt when he was imprisoned and returned to Ethiopia’s Metema border post. Disoriented and distressed, he was referred to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Migration Response Centre (MRC) in Metema. It was here that Muktar’s life began to pick up the broken pieces.

“When I arrived at the MRC, I didn’t recognize where I was,” Muktar recalls. “I struggled with sleep disturbances, felt hopeless, and even attempted suicide. I felt profoundly lonely.”

The IOM team at the MRC quickly stepped in to provide comprehensive support. Upon his arrival, Muktar was screened for vulnerabilities and protection risks. A tailored case management plan was developed to address his unique needs. Immediate nutritional support in the form of energy biscuits helped combat his hunger and exhaustion, while fresh clothing and hygiene kits restored a sense of dignity.

Muktar was provided with hot meals, emergency shelter, and medical care to address his physical injuries. Recognizing the emotional toll of his experiences, the MRC also offered mental health and psychosocial support. Counseling sessions and referrals for specialized psychiatric care at Genda Wuha Hospital, funded by IOM, helped Muktar begin the process of healing.

Within weeks, Muktar showed remarkable improvement. He regained stability, developed self-care skills, and found hope for the future. “With the support of IOM, I made significant progress,” he says with a smile. “Now, I have fully recovered and can take care of myself.”

Muktar plans to return home with IOM’s assistance, reunite with his family, and rebuild his life. He is determined to share his story with his community to raise awareness of the risks of irregular migration.

Muktar’s journey is one among countless inspiring stories of resilience supported by IOM’s Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) in Ethiopia in 2025; made possible through the generous funding of dedicated partners such as the Norway Embassy in Addis Ababa, Canada, and the COMPASS programme through the Embassy of the Netherlands.