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

In May 2023, IOM Yemen DTM recorded 11,463 migrants entering Yemen, a decrease of 15 per cent since last month (13,414 migrants in April 2023). In Lahj (8,711 migrants), DTM has observed a decrease in arrivals of 25 per cent from the previous month (11,656). Shabwah (2,748), on the other hand, witnessed a significant increase of 57 per cent from last month (1,755). Migration flows shifted from Obock, Djibouti (-25%) towards Bari, Somalia (+57%). This shift could be linked to weather conditions, sea tides and decreased coast guard patrolling in Somalia. DTM recorded conflict induced movements as the reason for 17 per cent of all incoming movements in May 2023. All conflict induced travel was recorded in Shabwah coming from Bari, Somalia (40% children, 10% 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 May 2023, a total of 514 migrants (486 male and 28 female) took the risky return by boat from Yemen to travel home. Meanwhile, DTM reported 5,466 Yemeni returns from KSA in May 2023, compared to 4,548 in April 2023.

Between 1 January and 31 May 2023, DTM recorded 66,330 migrants and 24,756 Yemeni migrant returnees to Yemen. IOM DTM received further information from border officials during the first week of May 2023 regarding the deportation of 115 Ethiopian 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.