Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The Yemeni government has approved a set of measures to curb the flow of illegal immigration, as part of official efforts to enhance security stability and consolidate national sovereignty.
The official website of the Yemeni Ministry of Interior stated that a high-level meeting was held on Monday in the temporary capital Aden with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to discuss procedures to contain security risks and alleviate the escalating humanitarian burdens resulting from the continuous influx of African migrants towards Yemeni coasts.
The meeting, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Interior for Security and Police Sector, Major General Staff Mohammed Musaid Qasim Al-Amir, approved the establishment of main reception centers for migrants in Aden and Marib, in addition to a specialized center in the Khor Amira area of Lahj governorate, to organize reception, registration, and provision of basic services according to international standards.
The meeting also discussed activating field points and offices to register and document migrants immediately upon their arrival at Yemeni coasts, including locations in (Amran/Aden, Ras al-Ara/Lahj, Ahwar and Shaqra/Abyan, and Mayfa’a/Shabwa); which would enhance the efficiency of managing migration flows and reduce irregular movements.
Within the framework of institutional capacity building, the meeting addressed updating information systems, working on creating a comprehensive national database for migrants, and providing the Immigration and Passports Authority with the necessary modern technologies for documentation and registration, contributing to raising the level of coordination among relevant authorities.
The attendees emphasized the importance of mobilizing support from international partners and donors to enhance the capabilities of the Yemeni Coast Guard in maritime search and rescue missions, in addition to supporting security agencies in combating smuggling and human trafficking networks.
In a related context, the meeting revealed a government plan to hold an upcoming regional conference to discuss the root causes of the illegal migration phenomenon, and to enhance cooperation with neighboring countries and international organizations to share security and logistical burdens, achieving a balance between national security requirements and humanitarian obligations.
Interesting to see a roadmap being approved for this issue. I wonder what specific measures they’ll implement to manage the situation.