Yemen

Migration to Yemen up; 18 drown in Yemen coast

According to the UNHCR, in January and February, there were 8,713 African migrants to Yemen, a 400 percent increase compared to the 2,946 arrivals of the same period last year.  In March, 2,850 migrants entered the country.  Most were Somalis, who were handed over to the UNCHR, while the others, mostly Ethiopians, were brought to Yemeni immigration authorities, to be deported to their respective countries.

In related news, a vessel carrying 120 migrants forced them to jump into the sea off Yemen’s coastline and swim ashore.  Eighteen Somalis drowned while Yemen coastguard boats rescued 102 migrants who were later sent to refugee camps. About 113 migrants have already died and 214 have gone missing this year while migrating by sea to other countries.

Sources: Nasser Arrabyee, “Migration to Yemen from Africa rises by 400%,” Gulf News, 11 April 2008; Reuters, “18 Somalis drown, 102 survive off Yemen coast,” Gulf News, 14 April 2008