UN Migration Agency Warns That Escalating Crises Along the Eastern Route Are Stretching Djibouti’s Resources Beyond Capacity
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that over 20,000 Ethiopian migrants have crossed into Djibouti since September 20, 2026, and thousands are exposed to severe food and water shortages during the dangerous desert journey toward Yemen.
Alexandre Coissac, head of the IOM’s Djibouti delegation, in a press briefing held in Geneva, indicated that the journey along the eastern migration route—which connects the Horn of Africa with Yemen and Gulf countries and is one of the world’s most dangerous and heavily traveled migration routes—has continued at a high rate.
Particularly in monitoring conducted between September 30 and October 10, 2026, the organization stated that over 3,000 migrants are in difficult conditions in remote desert areas of Djibouti without adequate food and water. It was noted that the migrants’ increased use of secondary alternative routes to evade monitoring has complicated efforts to deliver assistance to those in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
The IOM stated that it is currently providing food, water, and medical assistance to migrants in the desert, and is also facilitating favorable conditions for those who wish to voluntarily return to their country.
Djibouti, on the one hand, hosts migrants heading to Yemen, while on the other hand, it receives people returning from Yemen. The organization has registered 539 Ethiopians who have returned from Yemen since the mentioned period.
This two-way migration movement has increased at a time when the fighting between Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces has escalated significantly, and it was noted that over 184,000 Yemeni citizens have been displaced from their homes since August 1, 2026.
The organization’s Djibouti head, Alexandre Coissac, explained that this complex, two-directional migration movement is overwhelming the limited resources and services of this small Horn of Africa country beyond its capacity.
Finally, the organization, indicating that new financial support is necessary to respond to the escalating migrant crisis, called on the international community to provide urgent and sustainable humanitarian support. It warned that without additional funding, the organization will struggle to strengthen and continue its assistance to both incoming migrants and those returning to their country.
__
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
To Support Borkena : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/ – one time support or small monthly options available. Inquire information about it : info@borkena.com