A new report by the UN migration agency warns that the number of migrants dying in the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) region has increased this year compared to 2020. 

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said many deaths and disappearances occurred along the eastern migratory route in the Horn of Africa.

From the Horn, migrants move to Gulf nations where primarily young migrants, mainly men and young boys, but also increasingly women and even children, leave countries like Somalia and Ethiopia, traveling to Djibouti crossing the Gulf of Aden, to reach Yemen with their destination being Saudi Arabia.

IOM spokeswoman for East and Horn of Africa, Yvonne Ndege, told Anadolu Agency that “109 migrants, 17 of whom were children, lost their lives or disappeared on this very route last year, that's up from 59 in 2020.”

In 2019, the number of dead and disappeared was worse with 135 migrants dying or unaccounted for.

The report notes that the most frequent causes of deaths and disappearances during migration in 2021 “were drowning (64) and harsh environmental conditions (5) particularly the high temperatures that all too frequently result in exhaustion and dehydration.”

Of the 674,243 individuals on the move recorded by IOM in EHoA in 2021, more than 269,000, or 40%, were along the eastern route. The 2021 figures represent a 70% increase from 2020 when 157,000 migrants were tracked on the Eastern Corridor.

On the southern route heading from the Horn to South Africa, IOM recorded nearly 59,000 movements in 2021, predominantly by Ethiopian nationals.

The report urged support from donors to tackle the issue, Ndege told Anadolu Agency.

“The IOM is seeking funding and donor support to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of those who are on the eastern route, and to, of course, try to address the root causes of what is prompting many young people in the eastern Horn of Africa region to make this dangerous journey in which as the report finds many end up disappeared or missing.”

In March 2021, smugglers threw an estimated 80 passengers overboard from an overfilled boat carrying up to 200 people, resulting in at least 20 deaths and an unknown number of disappearances in the Gulf of Aden.

The next month, 44 people drowned, including 16 children, when a returning boat capsized in the Gulf off the coast of Djibouti.

And in June 2021, a boat carrying up to 200 passengers capsized in the Bab-al- Mandab straight near Ras al-Ara, Yemen, resulting in 25 deaths and up to 175 people who were lost at sea. - Andrew Wasike, Anadolu Agency

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has sent a condolence message to the people of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saying he is saddened to learn of the passing on of UAE President Al Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who died during the earlier ours of Friday.

Sheikh Khalifa was the eldest son of the UAE’s founder President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He served as the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi from November 3, 2004. He was elected to succeed his father who served as the UAE’s first president from 1971 until he passed away on November 2, 2004.

In a statement issued by the presidency, Kiir said he is saddened to learn of the UAE president’s demise and conveyed the condolence of the government and people of South Sudan to the UAE citizens.

“I am profoundly saddened to receive the news of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, which occurred this morning,” he said.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of South Sudan, I convey my heartfelt condolences to his highness family and the entire populous of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi,” he added.

The president said “The untimely passing of Sheikh Al Nahyan, while incredibly painful reminds us of the importance of legacy. South Sudan received tremendous support from the United Arab Emirates under Sheikh al Nahyan leadership, a great testimony to his desire and to sharing his vision of development with other countries.

“His highness was one of the leaders that shared our commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in South Sudan. Throughout our nation building process, the United Arab Emirates have stood firmly with South Sudan and worked tirelessly alongside us as we strived to build our nation.

“During this sad moment, the people of South Sudan stand in solidarity with the people of the United Arab Emirates during this mourning period. We will always remember Sheikh al Nahyan his transformative vision which has left a legacy of rapid development in the UAE. May God, the merciful comfort his family and rest his soul rest in eternal peace.” - Sudans Post

South Sudanese refugees in the Al Kashafa refugee camp in Sudan's White Nile State have complained of delays in food aid distribution for May and inadequate clean drinking water in the camp.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, several refugees said their living conditions have worsened as they wait for the distribution of food rations.

Adok Deng, a resident at the camp, complained that they do not have sufficient clean water for drinking and other household purposes and they have not received their May food rations.

"There is a delay in the distribution of monthly food rations which we are given every end month. The food is usually not sufficient for the family for a whole month," he added.

Deng called on the refugee committees and humanitarian agencies in the camp to urgently intervene and resolve refugee challenges.

For his part, Al-Nur Ulwak, head of the camp, acknowledged the delay in food distributions but said this is the only time such has happened. 

Ulwak also confirmed that the monthly food rations are not sufficient for individuals or families.

"The ration for one person is only one kilogram of sorghum. We have spoken with the refugee affairs representative, but they have not responded to our concerns," he noted. 

He further said that they have raised concerns about the water problem to the authorities to no avail. - Radio Tamazuj