Djibouti:
New Arrivals: In February 2013, an estimated 7,648 migrants arrived on Yemen’s shores via Djibouti, a 30% increase from January. The migrants were 24% less than those who landed on the coast of Yemen via Djibouti in February 2012. Migrants journey from Loya Ade, to Tadjoura and onward to Obock. Obock remains the main departure point from Djibouti to Yemen.
Boats: A total of 100 vessels left via the Red Sea for Yemen carrying an average of 76 passengers per trip in the month of February.
Migrant vulnerability: Many Ethiopians journey on foot between Dewelle (Ethiopia/Djibouti border) and Tadjora (Djibouti) a journey of 8 days. At least 10 Ethiopians were abandoned in the desert, unable to proceed due to exhaustion and dehydration. Continued reports of the brutal rape of female migrants persist. In one reported case, an Ethiopian woman was gang raped by the Yemeni smuggling crew and thrown overboard as the vessel approached the coast. Other passengers on the vessel were unable to intervene.
Arrest and deportation of refugees: It was reported that the Djiboutian coast guards intercepted and detained migrants and smugglers at a coast guards base in Obock. Migrants had to pay bribes or face possible deportation to their countries of origin. In one instance, migrants reportedly paid USD1000 to secure their release.
Response: IOM donated two patrol boats, life saving and communication equipment to the Djibouti Ministry of Equipment and Transport, in an attempt to strengthen the capacity of the Djibouti Coast Guard, in providing life saving assistance to migrants at risk in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el Mandeb Strait. The initiative is part of a wider project to enhance Djibouti’s capabilities in rescue at sea as well as border management.