WALKING down the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris, Liban Aljomai proudly wore the flag of his home country of Yemen as he joined delegates from all over the world at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Aljomai travelled to France in August 2024 to represent his country as an athletics coach. Amid the smiles, cameras and cheering crowds, he had no idea that just a week later he would be sleeping rough near those same city streets.
The 48-year-old had attended many international sporting competitions with Nasib Al-Raoud, the athlete he coached. It was the second time he had led a team from his home country at a Paralympic Games.
“It was an incredible experience,” Aljomai said. “The Paralympic Games are one of the world’s greatest sporting events, and the memories are unforgettable.”
The Yemeni delegation consisted of just five people. Their participation was funded by the International Paralympic Committee, which covered their travel and accommodation expenses.
During a visit from officials, including the Emirati president of the Asian Paralympic Committee, photographs were taken and shared on social media.
Back in Yemen, the photographs came to the attention of ministers in the Houthi regime who regarded them as evidence of disloyalty. At that time, the Houthis were at war with a Saudi-led coalition, which included the United Arab Emirates. Since 2014, the Houthis have controlled large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sana’a where Aljomai lived with his family.
He received a message from a friend warning him that the authorities had issued an order for him to be questioned by the security and intelligence service. He was told that he could be detained and imprisoned as soon as he returned to the country.
“I was extremely frightened; they don’t make empty threats,” Aljomai said. “We have seen people arrested by the security and intelligence service, imprisoned and not even brought to trial. It is extremely serious because they do not respect human rights.
“When I heard they would arrest me, I knew I couldn’t go back, so I left the Paralympic Village. I came to Paris as an official with my team, I represented my country; everything was good, then suddenly I found myself in the street.”
With no money for alternative accommodation, Aljomai spent two nights sleeping in a park in the French capital.
There, he met a group of Algerians who offered him a place to stay for a few days when they heard about his situation.
He said: “I didn’t know anyone there, I don’t speak French, I didn’t know what to do. Overnight I lost my home, my job, my future. At that time I had no idea about refugees or claiming asylum. I had no idea where I could turn for safety.”
As an English speaker, Aljomai decided he would try to reach the UK. With no safe route to the country available to him, he was forced to make the perilous journey by boat across the English Channel.
“I thought it would be a big boat, when I got there and saw it was a rubber boat I was very scared,” Aljomai said. “It was the most difficult choice in my life. Either I stayed in the street where I don’t know anyone or I will go to the UK.
“In the boat there were a lot of people, you can’t move. It was very dangerous. The water came inside the boat, we all thought we were going to drown. If they asked me now to repeat it, I would say no, never.”
On October 5, 2024, Aljomai and others in his boat were picked up by the UK Border Force and taken to Dover to have their information processed by the Home Office. From there he was put on board a bus, without being told the destination. They were sent to hotel accommodation in Scotland.
“I only knew Scotland from watching the film Braveheart – I never imagined that one day I would be here. I didn’t know if I could get a good life here, if I could integrate with the community. When I first came to the hotel I saw a lot of guys who have poor mental health and stress, we are not allowed to work. I was worried I would be like this.”
Aljomai found encouragement from EK Integration Network (EKin), an organisation providing support to people in asylum accommodation. Through meeting local people, he found community and improved his English. He put his coaching skills to use volunteering with South Lanarkshire Disability Sport and Achieve More Scotland, with whom he completed the 23-mile Kiltwalk Challenge.
He added: “My life has changed 180 degrees. I said bye to my family like normal, and I haven’t seen them since. I lost everything, but I have to continue with my life.
“When I was introduced to EKin, they were welcoming, they gave us activities and encouragement. The hope comes again. I will stay here and start my life from the beginning.”
Aljomai’s asylum claim was accepted by the Home Office and he was granted refugee status. This allows him to work or study in the UK and is the first stage towards building a new life in Scotland.
He has since been reunited with his wife, who was brought to the country through the family reunification programme.
