Thousands of African migrants journey along the Eastern Route each year—a deadly, often overlooked path to Saudi Arabia through Somalia, Djibouti, and Yemen. Fleeing poverty, conflict, and climate disasters, they face deserts, the sea, and armed groups with little access to food, water, or shelter. Many walk for days, enduring extreme conditions and relying on smugglers who exploit and abuse them.

This thriving smuggling network generates $156 million annually through extortion, as reported by the Mixed Migration Centre. Restricted access along the route hampers aid and enables unchecked violence, including rape, torture, and extortion, often with impunity.

Despite these risks, the Eastern Route remains a key migratory corridor. Between 2019 and 2023, nearly 276,000 migrants traveled from Somalia and Djibouti to Yemen, most from Ethiopia and Somalia.

These photographs document their journeys in northern Somalia between 2022 and 2023.

Photo and text assignment commissioned by the United Nations (IOM)