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

In April 2023, IOM Yemen DTM recorded 13,414 migrants entering Yemen, a significant decrease of 33 per cent over last month (20,020). In Lahj (11,656 migrants), DTM has observed a decrease in arrivals, down 26 per cent from last month (15,714 migrants). Likewise, Shabwa (1,755) saw a significant decrease of 59 per cent from last month (4,293). Migration flows shifted from Bari, Somalia (-59%) towards Obock, Djibouti (-26%). 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 10 per cent of all incoming movements in April 2023. All conflict induced travel was recorded in Shabwah coming from Bari, Somalia (37% children, 14% women, and 50% 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 April 2023, a total of 293 migrants (273 male and 20 female) took the risky return by boat from Yemen to travel home. Meanwhile, DTM reported 4,548 Yemeni returns from KSA in April 2023, compared to 5,304 in March 2023.

Between 1 January and 30 April 2023, DTM recorded 54,867 migrants and 19,290 Yemeni migrant returnees to Yemen. IOM DTM received further information from border officials regarding the deportation of 310 foreign nationals (305 Ethiopian and 5 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.