Some 80 African migrants drowned or are presumed dead after two smuggling boats carrying them sank in bad weather off Yemen, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

One of the boat carrying 46 Africans, most of whom were Ethiopians, capsized near the Bab Al-Mandab straits in the Red sea, and only three Somalis were found alive after they made it to Yemen coast, it said.

The Coast Guard found the bodies of two of the others, while the rest are presumed to have perished as their fate is still unclear.

The second boat carrying between 35-40 African infiltrators including women and children capsized off Ras Al-Arah coast, Lahj.

The fate of those who were onboard remained unknown, the ministry said.

"A large rescue operation is continuing, though hope is fading there are survivors".

The accidents come amid continuous infiltration, almost daily, by Africans, fleeing deteriorating situations in African horn countries of Somalia and Ethiopia to Yemen.

On their way to the country, migrants defy death crossing the dangerous sea where many drown when boats capsize-- just like these two boats-- or when smugglers force passengers to swim in deep water to reach Yemen.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme announced today $ 53 million in aid for African refugees in Yemen.

The WFP also announced over 66 tonnes of other materials in support of the country to cope with needs of the refugees whose number, according to recent official statistics, exceeds 1 million people.

Director of foods at the UNHCR in Aden, Abdul Qadir Nor Al-Din, said the WFP soon will provide food assistance to Somali refugees in 21 governorates including Lahj.

Meeting Lahj governor, according to Saba, he said the aid comes within the support for the poorest groups, adding that the programme plans to provide 230 tonnes of food for 30000 refugees in Lahj, Abyan and Shabwa a month as well as medical assistance to about 1760 African students.