The number of victims of the migrant boat sinking off the coast of Djibouti has increased to 139. This incident is one of the deadliest sinkings on the Eastern migration route, with 84 people still missing. Search and rescue operations continue following the incident.
Details of the Incident
The boat, which was carrying 305 people from Djibouti to Yemen, sank on the night between October 8 and 9 near Guhar, north of Obock in Djibouti. So far, 30 more bodies have been recovered from the water, and the number of victims has increased from 109 to 139. About 82 people have survived this incident, and Djiboutian authorities are still conducting search and rescue operations.
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Call from the International Organization for Migration
Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, has called for immediate action to prevent further migrant deaths and urged governments and donors to expand safe and legal migration options. She stated in a press release: "No one boards a boat like that unless they believe there is no other safe way." These remarks highlight the urgent need for change in migration policies.
The International Organization for Migration has also announced that it is providing emergency assistance to survivors at its migrant response center in Obock. This assistance includes health services, psychological support, food, shelter, and human rights support services.
Challenges of Migration on the Eastern Route
This tragedy once again highlights the existing dangers for migrants on the Eastern route, where tens of thousands of people from the Horn of Africa cross from Djibouti to Yemen each year. These individuals seek work, security, and stability in Gulf countries. Poverty, regional insecurity, and the increasing impacts of climate change continue to drive migrants to undertake this perilous journey, despite the evident dangers of crossing the sea and the threats present in Yemen.
According to data from the International Organization for Migration, since September 10, over 20,000 migration movements from Ethiopia to Djibouti have been recorded, emphasizing the ongoing scale of migration in this corridor. Migrants arriving in Yemen face even greater risks, including violence, unlawful detentions, exploitation, and human trafficking, which add to the humanitarian challenges in the country.
The International Organization for Migration has stated that it is closely collaborating with Djiboutian authorities to support rescue operations and prevent migrant deaths on land and at sea. However, the agency has warned that humanitarian needs are increasing and have exceeded limited financial resources. The organization is calling for immediate strengthening of support for Djibouti's search and rescue response and the expansion of safe migration pathways to reduce the existing risks for those undertaking these dangerous journeys.
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