Djibouti faces twin migration surges as Yemeni refugees land and Ethiopian migrants head north

Over the past three weeks more than 3,700 people fleeing the war in Yemen have reached Djibouti after a dangerous Red Sea crossing, according to Alexandre Coissac of the International Organization for Migration. The influx coincides with reports that Saudi‑backed government forces have retaken the Bab al‑Mandab Strait. Separately, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres condemned continued Houthi cross‑border attacks on Saudi Arabia, underscoring the broader regional instability. The sudden arrival of refugees has created an urgent need for safety, protection and basic assistance, stretching Djibouti’s already limited resources.

Since 10 September more than 20,000 Ethiopians have set out for Yemen, hoping to find work in the Gulf, while 539 have already returned from Yemen to Djibouti. Many of those heading north are unaware of the intensifying fighting between Yemen’s government and Houthi forces, and they increasingly rely on secondary routes that are harder for aid agencies to monitor. IOM has recorded reports of deaths in the desert near the Ethiopia border, highlighting the lethal conditions migrants face during these treks.

Djiboutian authorities have responded quickly, but the simultaneous movement of refugees, outbound migrants and returnees is stretching resources. IOM is supplying food and water to those in need and facilitating assisted voluntary returns where requested. Between 20 and 30 September more than 3,000 migrants were observed stranded along migration routes, suffering dehydration, exhaustion and shortages of essential supplies. The growing use of secondary pathways makes outreach increasingly difficult, prompting calls for additional support for new arrivals, migrants in distress and host communities such as Obock.