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Dangerous Crossings: Using music and social media to deter crossings to and through Yemen

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UNHCR or the UN will never ask people not to migrate. The right to freedom of movement is a fundamental human right and applies to everyone. What we are saying is that you must make an informed decision and be fully aware of the dangers you will meet on the road.

Crossing to and through Yemen – the risks

Yemen has been ravaged by a vicious war for more than two years and is today the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with epidemics and famine added to the horrors of war. But, startlingly, in 2016 more than 117,000 people chose to cross from the Horn of Africa to this war-torn country, risking their lives at the hands of people smugglers. The traffic continues in 2017.

Most decide to go to Yemen hoping to use it as a transit point, intending to continue to the Gulf or even Europe in search of jobs or asylum. Many are not aware of the dangers they will face during the journey. Smugglers downplay the perils and are even claiming that because of the war it is now easier to migrate through Yemen, as state authorities have lost control of the borders. The truth is however that people most probably will face horrible conditions during the journey.

They may be pushed into the sea when the boats are close to the coast and once on shore they will be abused by criminal networks and taken hostage for ransom. There are reports of physical and sexual abuse. Even if they are lucky enough to avoid these dangers, upon arrival they will find that they cannot continue elsewhere as planned. They will be stuck in this dangerous country.

Dangerous Crossings – the music video

This is why UNHCR has launched a major campaign to raise awareness of the dangers faced by those crossing to and through Yemen. We particularly aim to reach young people in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti. Attheheartofthe campaign is the song and music video Dangerous Crossings. Produced by UNHCR, the video features prominent artists from the region who have great credibility with the target audiences. The lyrics were based on discussions with and suggestions from refugees themselves. It was launched in February 2017 and has by now reached 1.3 million views via Youtube and other social channels (watch at http://bit.ly/2kg2zRL). The music video was also shown at the 2017 Cannes film festival and was widely acclaimed.

Starting a regional campaign

Now the campaign is expanding into its second stage. The music video and linked material will be used for a targeted information campaign in the Horn of Africa that engages young people and their communities, stimulates discussion, and challenges their beliefs about the safety of Yemen as a destination. The video will be complemented by a multimedia content package featuring testimonies by smuggling victims, forming powerful firsthand accounts of the grim reality people face when going to Yemen. This is an innovative method of mass awareness raising, combining the appeal of music performed by popular artists with testimonies by ordinary people who have themselves suffered at the hand of smugglers. All available media channels will be used to disseminate the campaign, with the main focus on social media and local radio. The launch of the local roll-out of the campaign is planned for mid-November 2017.