Ta’iz, 26 July – A new shipwreck occurred off the coast of Yemen on Wednesday (24/07), resulting in the death of 12 migrants and leaving four individuals missing. According to the survivors, the vessel, carrying 20 Ethiopian migrants predominantly from the Tigray region, capsized near the Dubab district in the Ta’iz governorate. 

“This latest incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and collaborative efforts to protect migrants,” said Matt Huber, Acting Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Yemen. “The alarming increase in shipwrecks and migrant deaths is a stark reminder of the perils faced by those fleeing desperate conditions. IOM is prepared to offer support as needed, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.” 

The boat, which departed from Djibouti on Tuesday at 9 pm, capsized early Wednesday morning due to strong winds and a malfunctioning engine. Of the 22 passengers, six survived, including the Yemeni boat captain and his assistant. Two bodies of a man and a woman were recovered and buried by local authorities, with the remaining individuals still unaccounted for. 

The recent military campaign in Yemen targeting smuggler networks and increased coastal patrols have led to a significant decrease in migrant arrivals from Djibouti and Somalia. Despite these crackdowns, smuggling operations continue to thrive, demonstrating the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to dismantle these networks and protect vulnerable migrants.  

The Bab-al Mandab Strait, a critical point for migrant crossings, has seen no arrivals from Djibouti to Lahj governorate since December 2023. Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, migrants continue to transit through the country in hopes of reaching the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. 

In 2023, IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) observed over 97,200 migrant arrivals to Yemen, surpassing the previous year’s figures. Despite a significant decrease in overall migrant arrivals to Yemen in the first half of 2024, with 10,395 migrants compared to 77,130 in the same period in 2023, the risks remain high. 

Many migrants find themselves stranded in Yemen, trapped by ongoing conflict, economic instability, and harsh conditions. These individuals, primarily from the Horn of Africa, often face dire circumstances, including limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care. The perilous journey, compounded by the exploitation of smugglers and the dangers of human trafficking, leaves many migrants vulnerable and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.  

Despite ongoing efforts by humanitarian organizations to provide support, the scale of the crisis demands significantly more funding and resources to adequately address the needs of stranded migrants. Enhanced international cooperation and increased financial support are crucial to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of these individuals as they navigate the complex challenges of seeking a better life. 

The Organization’s Missing Migrants Project (MMP) continues to monitor and report on incidents along this dangerous migration route. Since 2014, MMP has recorded 2,082 migrant deaths and disappearances on the Eastern Route, including 693 due to drowning. 

For more information, please contact: 

Monica Chiriac, Media and Communications Officer, mchiriac@iom.int 

IOM Yemen’s Communications Team, iomyemenmediacomm@iom.int 

Note to Editors: 

IOM's Missing Migrants Project is the only open-access database on migrant deaths and disappearances worldwide and the sole indicator (10.7.3) to measure safe migration in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Together with 48 other humanitarian and development organizations and governments, IOM coordinates the Regional Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa, Yemen and Southern Africa (MRP) to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of migrants along the Eastern Route. Although MRP partners appealed for USD 112 million, the appeal remains severely underfunded.