Over 2,700 Yemeni refugees arrive in Djibouti amid worsening crisis

More than 2,700 Yemenis have arrived in Djibouti in recent weeks, most of them after undertaking hazardous sea crossings through the Bab al‑Mandab strait. The migrants, fleeing the protracted conflict that has devastated Yemen since 2015, have been transported in overcrowded, unseaworthy vessels that expose passengers to the risk of capsizing, drowning and exploitation by smugglers. Djibouti’s immigration authorities reported that the arrivals have been recorded at the country’s main port of Djibouti City, where humanitarian agencies are providing emergency shelter, food and medical assistance.

The influx adds to the strain on Djibouti’s limited resources and underscores the broader regional impact of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis. United Nations agencies and non‑governmental organizations have called for increased international support to manage the growing number of displaced persons and to enhance maritime safety measures along the route. As the conflict in Yemen shows no signs of abating, officials warn that further waves of sea‑borne migration are likely, prompting calls for coordinated regional responses to address both immediate needs and longer‑term protection solutions.