Sana’a, 15 April 2013 – The United NationsResident and 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 sufferedgross 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, 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 the shores of 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 countryfor irregular migrants from the Horn of Africa. In 2012, the number of arrivals on Yemen’s shoresdoubled to 107,000 from 53,000 in 2010. Most new arrivals were Ethiopians (around 84,000 in 2012 compared to 23,000 Somalis).
As a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Yemen provides a formal protection framework for refugees. However, irregular migrants have become more vulnerable to abuse and extortion by smugglers and traffickers. Most migrants have no legal documents andhave limited access to livelihoods andbasic services.
Others fall prey to traffickers.About 22 per cent of the migrants that land on the Yemeni coast are women and girls. By the time they reach Haradh, the majority of this vulnerable group cannot be accounted for. Others suffer repeated sexual and gender based violence along the journey.
“The international community needs to urgently work with and support the Governments in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf, to strengthen migration and border management, combat transnational organized crime and uphold migrants’ human rights,” Mr Ould Cheikh Ahmed added. “Similarly, humanitarian agencies that are providing assistance need to be supported. These agencies are currently facing very serious funding shortages”
Between 15,000 and 25,000 irregular migrants are stranded in and around Haradh City in Hajjah Governorate in northern Yemen, and depend entirely on the generosity of local Yemenis, and whenever possible, humanitarian assistance. Others are in Aden in the south. Many of the migrants depend on food, medical and shelter assistance provided by humanitarian agencies like the International Organisation for Migration and the Yemeni Red Crescent Society.
Over the years, humanitarian agencies have organised voluntary return flights for thousands of such migrants from Yemen back home, as a life-saving measure, for those who have no other recourse. In the long run, more sustainable solutions need to be found and that should involve 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.