Yemen - Flow Monitoring Registry| Non-Yemeni Migrant Arrivals and Yemeni Migrant Returnees in March 2023

In March 2023, IOM Yemen DTM recorded 20,020 migrants entering Yemen, a significant increase of 87 per cent over last month (10,726). In Lahj (15,714 migrants), DTM has observed a dramatic increase in arrivals, up 102 per cent from last month (7,791migrants). Likewise, Shabwa (4,293) saw a significant increase of 46 per cent over last month (2,931). Migration flows shifted from Bari, Somalia (+47%) towards Obock, Djibouti (+102%). The overall increase could be linked to weather conditions, sea tides and decreased coast guard patrolling in Djibouti. While
travel had been primarily due to economic reasons in the first half of 2022, DTM has been recording conflict induced movements since August 2022, being the reason for 20 per cent of all incoming movements in March 2023. All conflict motivated travel was recorded in Shabwah coming from Bari, Somalia (33% children, 13% women, and 54% men).

Due to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Yemen and the challenges in moving towards KSA, many migrants opted to return to the Horn of Africa. DTM teams in Djibouti recorded that during March 2023, a total of 518 migrants (495 male and 23 female) took the risky return by boat from Yemen to travel home. Meanwhile, DTM reported 5,304 Yemeni returns from KSA in March 2023, compared to 4,338 in February 2023.

Between 1 January and 31 March 2023, DTM recorded 41,453 migrants and 14,742 Yemeni migrant returnees to Yemen. IOM DTM received further information from border ocials regarding the deportation of 276 foreign nationals (266 Ethiopian and 10 Somali nationals) from Oman into Hawf district of Al Maharah governorate. These migrants had travelled through Yemen to Oman but were deported back into Yemen by Omani authorities.