A recent donor briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, highlighted the urgent need for funding to address the humanitarian crisis affecting migrants along the Eastern and Southern migration routes. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with 48 other humanitarian and development organizations and governments, has issued a call for USD 112 million to support over 2.1 million migrants and host communities in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The appeal follows a tragic incident off the coast of Djibouti, where at least 38 migrants, including children, lost their lives when their boat capsized after leaving Yemen.
Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, described the incident as a “very uncomfortable wake-up call,” underscoring the pressing need to address the humanitarian, protection, and development needs of migrants along these routes.
Dangerous Journeys and Vulnerabilities
Tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa, primarily Ethiopia and Somalia, embark on perilous journeys seeking work in Gulf countries via the ‘Eastern route.’ Similarly, migrants traverse Kenya, Tanzania, and Southern Africa, aiming to reach South Africa via the ‘Southern route.’ These routes are characterized as some of the most dangerous, complex, and under-reported migratory routes globally, with hundreds of thousands of migrants recorded each year.
Migrants undertaking these journeys face numerous challenges, including starvation, dehydration, and human rights abuses such as sexual violence and exploitation by traffickers and smugglers. Disturbingly, as of December 2023, 46% of arrivals in Yemen were women and children, with almost 20% of children traveling unaccompanied along the ‘Eastern route.’ Additionally, over 46,000 migrants remain stranded along this route, while approximately 11,600 movements were identified along the ‘Southern route.’
Response Plan Overview
The appeal falls under the ‘Regional Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa, 2024,’ which encompasses life-saving assistance, protection services, voluntary return, addressing root causes of migration, promoting sustainable reintegration and livelihood opportunities, and enhancing partnerships and coordination.
Despite previous appeals, the plan remains severely underfunded, highlighting the critical need for immediate support. Failure to address the funding shortfall could exacerbate the already dire situation faced by migrants and host communities along these migration routes.
Conclusion and Call to Action
As the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold, stakeholders, governments, and donors must prioritize funding and support for the Regional Migrant Response Plan. The lives and well-being of millions of migrants and host communities hang in the balance, underscoring the urgency of addressing this pressing issue.
Efforts to address the root causes of migration, provide essential assistance, and ensure the protection and dignity of migrants must be bolstered through robust funding and collaborative action. Failure to act decisively risks further loss of life and perpetuation of suffering along these perilous migration routes.
