Stranded African Migrants in Yemen Face Dire Conditions as Aid Runs Low
African migrants stranded in Yemen face a worsening humanitarian crisis as aid dwindles and borders stay shut.
Thousands of African migrants who made the perilous journey to Yemen in hopes of reaching Saudi Arabia are now stranded in a country already devastated by war and economic collapse. With humanitarian assistance running low, their situation is becoming increasingly desperate.
Abdulaziz Mohammed, an Ethiopian migrant, arrived in Aden about two weeks ago after a risky sea crossing with smugglers. He had hoped to continue to Saudi Arabia, but found the border heavily fortified. "The military has closed the border, and the police have tightened security there. We cannot cross, so I am here in Yemen," he said. "We have no place to stay. We look for food on the streets and sleep under the trees."
Mohammed is among more than 110,000 migrants who arrived in Yemen between January and the end of July, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Many undertake the journey despite known dangers, relying on smuggling networks that expose them to exploitation, violence, and abuse at every stage.
Mohamad Hatoum, IOM programme manager for protection, noted that migrants in Yemen face risks including human trafficking, detention, and various forms of abuse. "Many of them rely on smuggling networks to facilitate their movement, which exposes them to harm and risks that are not limited to crossing borders, but continue to affect them throughout the entire journey," he said.
Once in Yemen, many find themselves without shelter, income, or access to basic services. The country's own humanitarian crisis, compounded by years of conflict, leaves little room for additional burdens. Humanitarian aid activist Mansour Al-Jaradi pointed out that the war and difficult economic situation have already stretched resources thin, with international organizations largely absent and no aid available for internally displaced people. Migrants, he said, "undoubtedly represent an additional burden."
As the border with Saudi Arabia remains closed and aid supplies deplete, the plight of these stranded migrants is expected to worsen, with no clear path forward.