Four boats carrying migrants from Africa recently capsized off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti, leading to the tragic loss of at least two lives and the disappearance of 186 individuals, as reported by the United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
On Thursday, two boats sank near Yemen, where rescuers managed to save two crew members, while 181 migrants and five Yemeni crew members remain unaccounted for. The IOM has indicated that a significant portion of those aboard were Ethiopian migrants, including at least 57 women.
Abdusattor Esoev, the IOM’s chief of mission in Yemen, communicated to ZezapTV that they are actively coordinating with local authorities to search for potential survivors. However, the chances of finding anyone alive diminish with each passing moment, highlighting the perilous nature of such journeys.
Simultaneously, off the coast of Djibouti, two additional boats capsized around the same timeframe, where rescue operations successfully recovered two deceased migrants. Fortunately, all other individuals aboard these vessels were rescued. The high seas remain a formidable and treacherous route for those seeking better livelihood opportunities, particularly for migrants from East Africa and the Horn of Africa who see Yemen as a pathway to the Gulf countries.
Despite the ongoing civil conflict in Yemen, which has persisted for nearly a decade, the nation continues to attract hundreds of thousands of migrants annually. In 2023 alone, the number of individuals attempting this journey reached approximately 97,200—tripling the figure recorded in 2021. However, in 2022, this number dropped to just under 61,000, a decline that coincided with intensified patrols in the region.
The IOM has reported that in the last year, 558 individuals tragically lost their lives along this route. It is worth mentioning that in January, a boat carrying Ethiopian migrants capsized, resulting in the loss of 20 lives.
Over the past decade, the IOM records indicate a worrying trend, with at least 2,082 individuals having gone missing along this perilous route, including 693 confirmed drownings. Currently, an estimated 380,000 migrants reside in Yemen, underscoring the ongoing complex challenges and dire humanitarian needs in this region of the Middle East.
As the migration crisis continues to evolve, it remains critical for the international community to address the underlying issues driving individuals to undertake such dangerous journeys while ensuring their safety and dignity throughout the migration process.
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