UN Appeal to Raise $112 Mln to Aid Migrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued an urgent appeal for over $112 million to address the needs of millions of migrants and host communities along the Eastern and Southern African migration routes, including Yemen, for the current year of 2024.

The call for funding was made yesterday during a press conference held by donors in the Swiss capital, Geneva.

It emphasized the necessity of obtaining $112.2 million to support over 2.1 million migrants and host communities along the Eastern and Southern migration routes, including Yemen, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

This appeal follows the tragedy that occurred last week off the coast of Djibouti, where at least 38 migrants, including children, lost their lives when their boat capsized and sank after departing from Yemen.

Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director of Operations at the International Organization for Migration, stated that this tragedy is yet another wake-up call to focus attention on the humanitarian needs and protection and development needs of migrants along the Eastern and Southern migration routes.

The organization highlighted that the appeal is part of the Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the African Horn to South Africa and Yemen for the year 2024.

It includes providing life-saving assistance, protection services, voluntary returns, addressing root causes of migration, enhancing sustainable reintegration and livelihood opportunities, as well as strengthening partnerships and coordination.

The International Organization for Migration emphasized that these routes are among the most dangerous and complex migration routes globally.

Migrants often face famine, drought, human rights violations, including violence and exploitation by human traffickers and smugglers, highlighting the urgent need for support.

In another context, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced yesterday that heavy rains had caused shelters of displaced persons in the Marib governorate, eastern Yemen, to collapse.

The UNHCR stated on its "X" platform that heavy rains affected displaced families in Marib, Yemen, causing the collapse of their shelters, resulting in them losing their shelter.

The UNHCR clarified that it is currently assessing the damage in collaboration with local partners to effectively prepare for shelter maintenance.

In recent days, several Yemeni governorates have witnessed heavy rains, leading to damage to many residents, especially among displaced persons due to the war.