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Injured by a mine, Imaan can walk again thanks to HI

Imaan, 15, learned to walk again after an amputation caused by a landmine.

A person is lying on an examination table in a medical room. This person has had a leg amputated, and the stump is visible. The person is wearing dark clothing with shiny patterns on the sleeves, as well as a red cloth covering their head. They are lying on their back, with one hand resting near their face. Next to the table, another person is wearing medical attire consisting of a blue scrub top, gloves, and a mask positioned under the chin. This person is handling the stump with their hands. The room has white walls.

Imaan during a rehabilitation session | © T. Nicholson / HI

Imaan walked on a landmine

After seven years of displacement, 15-year-old shepherd Imaan Al-Hussein returned to Raqqa to celebrate Eid al-Adha. While she was tending to her family’s flock of sheep with her mother, she stepped on a landmine which severely damaged her right lower leg. She made a tourniquet with her scarf, but her leg had to be amputated below the knee.

During strength and conditioning sessions with Humanity & Inclusion (HI), Imaan learnt how to re-wrap a bandage around her residual limb. She also practised walking with mobility aids, strength and balance training, such as jumping over an obstacle.

Progress and daily challenges

Although Imaan is making progress with mobility aids, they particularly hinder her work as a shepherd. She said:

“I'd like to walk without sticks because, as Bedouins, we have to use our hands for work. Otherwise, it'll prevent me from doing my work with the sheep like my mother.”

In the short term, Imaan wants to return to the land as soon as possible, but in the long term, she said:

“If I can walk again, I'd like to attend a wedding. My dream is to be able to dance again at Bedouin weddings.”

Date published: 02/06/26