Migration Along the Eastern Corridor (June 2024)

Key findings in June 2024

• Around 108,000 exit movements from Ethiopia have been tracked between January and June 2024, an 18% increase when compared with the same period in 2023 (91,321).

• As of June, forced returns from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia (57,075) surpassed all returns in 2023 (42,948), a 33% increase. Such increase has been particularly pronounced on those returning to Tigray (+69%, 16,600), Amhara (+45%, 20,100) and Oromia (+31%, 17,600).

• Movements tracked in Obock towards the Arabian Peninsula increased by 58% between May and June, surpassing the highest number of movements tracked in December 2023 (7,403). Thus, June 2024 marks the highest figure since the beginning of flow monitoring operations in Obock in 2019. Similarly, these movements increased by 41% from 2023 (22,698) for the period January – June despite operations conducted against irregular migration in the Lahj governorate, the main landing point of migrants crossing the Bab al-Mandab Strait from Djibouti.

• When comparing the period January – June between 2023 (19,476) and 2024, there is a 43% increase in movements tracked in Bossaso heading to Yemen.

• At least 49 migrants died and 140 others went missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Yemen. The vessel carrying 260 migrants (115 Somali nationals and 145 Ethiopians) capsized on 10 June near Alghareef in Shabwah governorate. Among those who lost their lives, there were 31 women and 6 children.

• So far in 2024, 1,095 migrants have been deported from Oman to Yemen, a 40% increase compared to 2023 (781).