Multimedia

Somalia -
The Eastern Route

Ongoing

Every year tens of thousands of migrants, mainly from Ethiopia, embark on perilous journeys across the Eastern Route - a migratory passage taken by those trying to leave the Horn of Africa to the Gulf States.  

Migrants cross the Gulf of Aden via Somalia and Djibouti to war-torn Yemen, hoping to reach countries like Saudi Arabia. Migrants brave deserts, the sea, and territories controlled by armed groups in their pursuit to escape poverty, conflict, and the impacts of climate change. 

The proliferation of traffickers and smugglers in the past fifteen years has transformed this route into one of the most dangerous irregular migratory corridors in the world.  Exploiting the vulnerability, smugglers and traffickers often subject them to horrifying levels of violence, including torture, extortion, exploitation, forced labor, and sexual abuse, all while making millions of dollars in profit at their expense.

Despite the immense risks involved, the number of African migrants crossing the Gulf of Aden have risen significantly the past 5 years, with over 280,000 movements tracked since 2019 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The volume of crossings have at times surpassed those recorded on the Central Mediterranean route from Libya to Europe.

Yet, the Eastern Route remains largely overlooked by the international community and media, resulting in criminal bands operating with greater impunity, jeopardizing countless lives. This lack of attention puts a strain on organizations striving to assist and cater to the needs of the most vulnerable.