Urgent Appeal: Support Needed for Migrants Along Eastern and Southern Routes

Urgent Appeal for Migrant Support

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with 48 humanitarian and development organisations and governments, is urgently seeking USD 112 million to provide vital assistance to over 2.1 million migrants and host communities along the Eastern and Southern migration routes. This appeal comes in response to the recent tragedy off the coast of Djibouti, where at least 38 migrants, including children, lost their lives after their boat capsized while en route from Yemen.

Addressing critical needs

Speaking at a donor briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, emphasised the pressing humanitarian, protection, and development needs of migrants along these routes. Each year, tens of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa, primarily Ethiopia and Somalia, undertake perilous journeys seeking opportunities in Gulf countries via the ‘Eastern route.’ Similarly, migrants traverse countries in Southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond, in hopes of reaching destinations such as South Africa via the ‘Southern route.’ These routes are characterised by danger, complexity, and insufficient reporting, with hundreds of thousands of migrants recorded along them annually.

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Challenges and Risks Faced

Migrants along these routes endure extreme hardships, including starvation, dehydration, and various human rights abuses such as sexual violence and exploitation by traffickers and smugglers. Disturbingly, a significant percentage of arrivals in Yemen, particularly women and children, remain vulnerable, with a notable proportion of unaccompanied children travelling along the ‘Eastern route.’ Despite previous appeals, the dire situation persists, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive support to address these challenges.

Regional Migrant Response Plan

The appeal for funds falls within the framework of the ‘Regional Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa, 2024.’ This comprehensive plan encompasses life-saving assistance, protection services, voluntary return initiatives, efforts to address root causes of migration, promotion of sustainable reintegration and livelihood opportunities, and enhancement of partnerships and coordination among stakeholders.

Despite previous appeals, the plan remains severely underfunded, underscoring the critical need for immediate support from the international community. The lack of adequate funding will severely compromise essential services and assistance for migrants and host communities along these migration routes, putting vulnerable populations at greater risk of exploitation, abuse, and hardship.

We urge the international community to mobilize resources and provide timely support to ensure effective implementation of the Regional Migrant Response Plan, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent needs of migrants and host communities. By working together and prioritising the well-being and protection of migrants, we can mitigate the suffering and address the challenges faced by those undertaking perilous journeys in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life.