The Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen has expressed alarm over the worsening plight of thousands of destitute migrants from the Horn of Africa who are stranded in northern Yemen, saying their situation needs urgent attention.
“In a desperate attempt to seek better livelihood opportunities, many migrants have suffered gross physical abuse and severe economic and sexual exploitation,” said Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. “Many of them, including children, are stranded under extremely difficult circumstances. Their plight must be urgently addressed.”
Thousands of people leave the Horn of Africa region every month, especially Ethiopia and Somalia, with hopes of a better life in the Arabian Peninsula. It is a perilous journey in overcrowded boats through the Gulf of Aden to Yemen. In 2011, the UNHCR estimated that more than 100 migrants drowned or went missing en route.
Despite years of political instability and violence, Yemen remains an important transit country for these migrants. The number of arrivals has doubled from 53,000 in 2010 to 107,000 in 2012, when around 84,000 Ethiopians and 23,000 Somalis arrived on the shores of Yemen.
As a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Yemen provides a formal protection framework for refugees. However, irregular migrants are extremely vulnerable due to abuse and extortion by smugglers and traffickers. Most migrants have no legal documents and have limited access to livelihoods and basic services.
Others fall prey to traffickers. About 22 per cent of the migrants that land on the Yemeni coast are women and girls. Many try to reach Saudi Arabia, but by the time they reach Haradh City in northern Yemen, the majority of this vulnerable group cannot be accounted for. Others suffer repeated sexual and gender-based violence along the journey.
“The international community urgently needs to work with and support the Governments in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf to strengthen the management of migration and national borders, combat transnational organized crime and uphold migrants’ human rights,” Mr Ould Cheikh Ahmed added. “Similarly, humanitarian agencies that are providing assistance need to be financially supported.”
Between 15,000 and 25,000 irregular migrants are stranded in and around Haradh City in Hajjah Governorate in northern Yemen. Others are in Aden in the south. They depend entirely on the generosity of local Yemenis and humanitarian organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration and the Yemeni Red Crescent Society to cover their basic food, medical and shelter needs.
Humanitarian agencies have for years organised voluntary flights for thousands of migrants in Yemen to return home. This is a life-saving measure for those who have no other recourse.
In the long run, more sustainable solutions need to be found involving all stakeholders.
For more information please contact Ms Nicoletta Giordano at IOM Yemen, Tel: + 967 1 410 568/572 Ext. 101, Email: ngiordano@iom.int orMr Erich Ogoso at OCHA Yemen, Tel-+967 712 222 831, Email: ogoso@un.org