IOM Launches $91 Million Appeal to Support African Migrants on Perilous “Eastern Route” to Yemen
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a massive $91 million funding campaign to address the escalating humanitarian crisis along migration routes in the Horn of Africa, focusing specifically on those traveling to and through Yemen. The 2026 Migrant Response Plan (MRP) seeks to provide life-saving assistance and protection to approximately 1.2 million migrants and members of host communities. This appeal comes at a critical time as the “Eastern Route”—connecting Ethiopia and Somalia to the Gulf states via Yemen—remains one of the most dangerous and congested migration corridors in the world.
Despite the ongoing conflict and deteriorating security conditions within Yemen, the influx of migrants has continued to surge. Recent IOM data indicates that in January 2026 alone, over 21,000 migrants were tracked entering Yemen, primarily through the coastal areas of Lahj and Shabwah. Furthermore, 2025 was recorded as the deadliest year on the Eastern Route, with more than 900 migrants reported dead or missing due to shipwrecks and harsh desert conditions. While the flow remains predominantly male, there has been a significant increase in unaccompanied children and women who face heightened risks of human trafficking, abduction, and physical abuse.
The IOM, alongside 48 humanitarian partners, intends to use the $91 million to stabilize a region under immense pressure. The campaign’s priorities include providing food, clean water, and emergency medical care at Migration Response Centers in Yemen, Djibouti, and Somalia. Funds will also be allocated for psychological first aid, legal referrals, and specialized support for survivors of gender-based violence. Additionally, the initiative will facilitate the safe and dignified voluntary return of stranded migrants to their home countries and support host community infrastructure projects to reduce local tensions.
IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized during the launch that the migration crisis in the region is fueled by a combination of climate change, instability, and extreme poverty. She stated that migration along these routes is a shared responsibility and that with sustained commitment, the international community can reduce suffering and strengthen resilience. The organization warned that current funding levels fall far short of the actual needs, noting that without immediate support, critical shelters and medical clinics in transit countries risk closure, potentially leaving thousands of people stranded in active conflict zones without a safety net.
The day before yesterday, 180 undocumented migrants from the Horn of Africa arrived on the coast of Radum District in Shabwah Governorate, southeast of Yemen, as part of a recurring smuggling wave across the sea despite the severe dangers surrounding these journeys.
According to the Interior Ministry’s website, a smuggling boat named “Al-Farouq,” crewed by five Somali sailors, dropped the migrants off at Al-Ain coast in Radum District, noting that all the migrants were Ethiopian nationals.
These voyages come amid escalating risks, including frequent drowning incidents, as well as the migrants’ harsh humanitarian conditions and exploitation by smuggling networks.
