More than 100,000 migrants from the Horn of Africa have flocked to Yemen this year despite a raging conflict in the country, AFP reported Tuesday (November 29th).
As of mid-November, nearly 90,000 Ethiopians and over 17,000 Somalis had crossed the Gulf of Aden since January 1st, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Some are hoping to ultimately reach the Gulf states and find work, while others are pursuing an indirect route to Europe, UNHCR spokesman William Spindler said.
Many migrants "may be deceived or ill-informed about the severity of the conflict in Yemen", he added.
The conflict has killed more than 7,000 and displaced more than three million others. But Ethiopian and Somali migrants have continued to head there by a perilous sea crossing "rather than stay in poverty or face persecution and insecurity at home", Spindler said.
At least 79 people have perished while attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden, the UNHCR said.
Despite the continuing violence, migration into Yemen rose this year compared to 2015, when 92,000 people from the Horn of Africa made the boat crossing.
