The International Organization for Migration (IOM), through its offices in Yemen, Djibouti and Ethiopia is assisting vulnerable and stranded Ethiopian migrants to voluntarily return to their country of origin. Since the conflict broke out in Yemen in March 2015, IOM has been providing this assistance to nearly 10,000 Ethiopian migrants.

Ethiopian irregular migrants are caught in deplorable conditions due to the ongoing conflict.  IOM, together with the international community, has been engaged in life-saving operations targeting thousands of stranded Ethiopians that prioritize the most vulnerable, including children, women, the elderly and medical cases.

IOM’s support includes medical screening, facilitation of nationality verification, transportation, and specialized support for vulnerable groups.  

As part of its ongoing evacuation assistance, in November 2016, IOM evacuated 150 Ethiopians from Yemen, and also assisted the return of 166 Ethiopians who been deported from Yemen and were stranded in Djibouti. All return assistance provided by IOM to these stranded Ethiopians was on a voluntary basis only, as part of its Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) program.

IOM prioritizes the needs of migrants and the return support is centered on the principle of consent, voluntariness, and best interest of returnees.

IOM’s mandate explicitly prevents the organization from participating or supporting involuntary return, including deportation.

IOM therefore regrets reports disseminated by some media outlets claiming that IOM has been involved in the deportation of migrants from Yemen.