Blog #1: Dramatic Increase in Migration to Yemen

Despite the political turmoil, there has been a major influx of Somali and Ethiopian migrants and refugees in the past year in Yemen, which sits at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula and borders the Arabian and Red Sea. The estimated total of Somali and Ethiopian migrants to reach Yemen in 2011 was 103,000. This is double the number from 2010. 

The growing famine and violence in Somalia and Ethiopia have driven natives to seek refuge in Yemen and countries beyond, in search of safety and stability. The reason there has been such an influx of migrants into Yemen this past year is because of the ongoing political struggle and protests against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, which has led to a lack of law enforcement that in turn allows for human traffickers and smugglers to bring more people into the country. 

The majority of these migrants are smuggled in across the Gulf of Aden, and when they arrive, they are usually found dehydrated, malnourished, and often in shock. These people are often extorted by the smugglers, ransomed, and sexually harassed in the process of being smuggled into the country. Three Ethiopians were killed last week for trying to escape from smugglers.