Life‑saving support: When hope is stronger than loss

In 2014, Mohammed, a Syrian refugee, fled to Jordan in search of safety for his family. Mohammed’s family began a painful journey on foot that lasted for months. They moved through fear and exhaustion until they finally crossed into Jordan, fleeing the crisis in Syria in search of safety and a chance to survive.  

“In Syria, everything is gone. We have nothing left there; no work, no home, nothing. Only memories. The only thing we had with us when we left were the clothes we were wearing,” says Mohammed.  
 

In Jordan, Mohammed and his family have had to rebuild their lives from nothing. Mohammed worked in construction and took any job he could find, just to provide for the basic needs for his family. But rising living costs and harsh economic conditions became more than he could bear.  
 
Soon, debts began to pile up, yet he refused to give up. His love for his family pushed him to keep going, no matter how hard it became. “Today, my family consists of my wife and six children. They are the most precious thing I have, and I would do anything for them,” says Mohammed.  
 

Life became more challenging in 2025 when the family welcomed premature twins. Their baby girl did not survive, while Ahmad, the baby boy, was born with serious health complications due to his premature birth. The most devastating issue was retinal detachment, which resulted in him losing sight in both eyes.  

“Losing our baby girl was terrible. It was really hard to see our baby lose his sight too. I was shocked when the doctor told me that Ahmad could not see,” said Alia, Ahmad’s mother.  

From that moment, the family entered a long and exhausting journey between hospitals, waiting rooms, and unanswered questions. Ahmad underwent several surgeries in an attempt to restore vision in one eye. Some procedures were done in public hospitals, but the specialise retinal surgery Ahmad needed was not available there. His father had no choice but to turn to a private hospital, signing promissory notes and borrowing large sums of money.    

Those months were physically and emotionally unbearable. Ahmad was transferred between several hospitals, while his mother stayed by his side day and night. What kept them going was the hope that Ahmad might one day see again. Although the surgeries offered some hope, Ahmad’s future treatment needs remain uncertain.

“I stayed in the hospital with Ahmad for 15 days. He was moved between several public hospitals, but none of them could perform his surgery. It was physically and mentally exhausting,” says Alia.  

Despite everything, the atmosphere in the house changes the moment Ahmad wakes up. His siblings rush toward him, laughing, playing, and trying to make him smile, as if they are trying to show him the world he cannot see.  

“Ahmad’s surgery is more important to me than anything else. All I want is for him to see us… to see his brothers and sister,” says Mohammed.  

Medair has helped the family access critical medical care, supporting them through some of their most difficult moments.  

Medair has been there for Ahmad from the start, supporting him and his family through some of their most critical moments. Their assistance covered the caesarean section delivery in March 2025 and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission for Ahmad and his premature twin sister, who were born at just 28 weeks.  

After his initial admission, Ahmad was re‑admitted multiple times due to serious medical conditions, including respiratory distress syndrome, severe breathing difficulties, cardiac complications, and other urgent health concerns. Medair’s support was a lifeline for the family, easing the financial burden and ensuring Ahmad received timely, life‑saving medical care when his survival was at risk.

“Medair lifted a huge burden off my shoulders. Without this support, our situation would have become much worse. They helped me continue my son’s treatment,” says Mohammed.

The family now faces a threat of eviction due to unpaid rent, adding another layer of fear to their already fragile lives. “I have nowhere to go. No one will lend me money anymore, and now the landlord wants us out. I’m really worried that I’ll end up on the street with my children,” shares Mohammed.

In response, Medair’s health team referred the family to the Basic Needs unit for cash assistance, helping to reduce part of their accumulated debt and ease some of the immediate financial pressure.  

‍

Through pain and uncertainty, the family remains deeply connected. Their strength comes from one another and from the love they share, especially for Ahmad. This love is most visible in his brothers, especially Salah, who never leaves his side.

“It was extremely hard. Seeing my brother in that condition was unbearable,” says Salah, before becoming too emotional to continue. His mother adds, “Salah is the most attached to Ahmad. He feeds him, plays with him, talks to him all the time, and never leaves him alone.”

Despite everything, Mohammed and his family continue to hold on to hope: hope that life will become kinder, and that Ahmad will one day regain his sight. Their greatest fear is not poverty or debt, but that Ahmad will grow up in a world he cannot see.  

“I have known grief and fear before, but nothing compares to my sorrow and fear for Ahmad,” says Alia.

‍

Medair provides essential life-saving services in Jordan through the support of the German Federal Foreign Office. Together, we stand alongside vulnerable refugees, helping them overcome ongoing barriers to accessing life-saving healthcare and emergency treatment when it matters most.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are solely those of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official views of any other organisation.

‍