Attachments
HORN OF AFRICA – YEMEN MIGRATION TRENDS
In the last quarter of 2023, migrants from the Horn of Africa continued to arrive in Yemen, where they face numerous protection risks throughout every step of their journey. According to the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a total of 4,313 migrants arrived in Yemen between October and December 2023. Although monthly migrant arrivals significantly decreased starting in August, more than 97,000 migrants arrived in Yemen in 2023 – an increase of more than 20,000 compared to total arrivals in 2022 (more than 73,000 arrivals).
During the reporting period, the continued efforts by local security forces in Yemen and joint campaigns by Coast Guards of Djibouti and Yemen have reportedly contributed to a decrease in migrant arrivals to the coast of Lahj. For the first month since June 2020 (mid COVID-19 pandemic), no migrant arrivals were recorded from Djibouti in October. This trend continued in November, marking an overall shift in dynamics, with the majority of arrivals during the reporting period being to Shabwah, a significant difference compared to previous periods.
The journey across the Gulf of Aden remains perilous, resulting in the disappearance and death of migrants attempting to reach Yemen via dangerous boat journeys. On 12 November, reports indicated that a boat carrying an estimated 90 migrants, including 60 women, sank in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait due to overcrowding and engine failure. Among those on board, only 26 survivors were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard. The remaining 64 migrants on board are feared to be dead.
Migrants continue to be subjected to serious violence, coercion, deliberate deprivation, and abuse, including abduction, extortion, stigmatization, and physical and sexual harassment and violence. As a result, migrants approach IOM teams daily seeking emergency assistance, notably support to return home via the Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme. In December, after months of suspension, IOM was able to resume VHR flights to Ethiopia. By the end of December, a total of 6,538 migrants, including women and children, safely returned to their countries of origin over the course of 2023. VHR needs remains exceptionally high; IOM expects at least 15,000 migrants will be in need of VHR assistance in 2024. Yet, significant funding shortages remain, leaving many of the most vulnerable migrants who wish to return home stranded in Yemen with no safe and dignified way to return.
During the reporting period, there was a surge in Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) and suspected cholera cases reported in multiple governorates. Among those affected, migrants in particular suffered from a lack of access to basic health services. As part of the Cholera Taskforce, IOM worked quickly with response actors to address the outbreak by expanding mobile medical team coverage along the migration route, establishing Oral Rehydration Corners (ORCs), carrying out information dissemination, and supporting three Diarrhea Treatment Centers (DTCs) at IOM-supported health facilities throughout Aden, Lahj, Ta’iz and Sa’dah.