Yemen witnessed 291 family displacements in December 2023, 64% due to conflict and 36% due to economic reasons, requiring urgent shelter, food and livelihoods.
Summary:
• In December 2023, 291 families were displaced in Yemen, a 13% increase over November.
• Conflict (64%) and economic reasons (36%) account for the vast majority of displacement cases.
• The most pressing needs of displaced people are shelter, non-food items, financial support, food assistance, livelihoods, health care, and water.
• Migrants, primarily from Somalia (70%) and Djibouti (30%), face security risks on their journey.
• To protect internally displaced people, a comprehensive and collaborative approach is required, which includes rights-based legislation and formal recognition of their status.
• Long-term solutions include safe return, local integration, and economic and social programs to boost community resilience.
According to a recent report issued by the International Organization for Migration, 291 families (1,746 individuals) were displaced at least once in 13 governorates in Yemen in December 2023, bringing the total number of families displaced at least once - which were monitored - in 2023 to 9,944 families (59,664 individuals).
According to the report, the majority of displacements are caused by conflict (64%) or economic reasons (36%), with the most pressing needs for displaced people in Yemen being shelter, non-food items, financial support, food assistance, livelihoods, health services, and water.
The report also highlights migrants, with 1,679 recorded arrivals in Yemen in December 2023, a 13% increase over November (1,465). The majority of migrants come from Somalia (70 percent) and Djibouti (30 percent), and they face serious and multifaceted protection risks on their journey.
It is worth noting that migrants to Yemen from the Horn of Africa face numerous risks, including drowning. According to the International Organization for Migration, in November of last year, more than 64 people went missing and were presumed dead after the ship they were on capsized off the coast of Yemen.
The United Nations Migration Agency reported that 2022 was the deadliest year for migrants in the Middle East and North Africa. Approximately 3,800 people died during land and sea migration trips in the region. Yemen was one of the most dangerous places for Horn of Africa migrants to travel.
To protect internally displaced persons in Yemen, a comprehensive, collaborative approach is required through a variety of strategies, including the creation and enforcement of laws addressing the rights of internally displaced persons, as well as official recognition of their status to ensure access to protection and rights. Displaced people must have access to basic services such as health care, education, and clean water, as well as safety in the areas where they seek refuge.
Furthermore, long-term solutions such as safe return, local integration or resettlement, and economic and social programs that support community resilience and reintegration should be developed to rebuild and strengthen the social fabric.
The importance of cooperation among governments, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies, as well as continuous monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures and adjust strategies to the changing situation, must also be emphasized.
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