Posts tagged ‘Gulf of Aden’
Drowning before my eyes
Yemen (Aden) – I cannot forget 21 March 2009 when twelve Africans, Somalis and Ethiopians, drowned before my eyes when their vessel capsized shortly after docking in the Yemeni port of Aden. The boat, which was carrying 104 people from the Horn of Africa, had been found adrift in the Gulf of Aden by a French frigate on 19 March and towed to the Yemeni coast.
It was around four in the afternoon when my UNHCR colleagues Leila, Myra and Miriam and I spotted the vessel on the horizon while being towed to Steamer Point pier in Aden. We were there for an easy mission to register the asylum applications of the new arrivals, in case any of them wanted to seek asylum.
I went to the port hoping that I could tell for once a happily-ending story of rescue at sea. But a major tragedy was waiting to happen. As soon as the boat docked, the passengers rushed to one side of the vessel to disembark causing the boat to capsize. As people were falling overboard, I froze for a long minute in shock. I found myself powerless before the tragedy unfolding a few meters away. I dropped my camera with the intention of jumping into the sea to help rescue the unfortunate passengers. I did not. I do not know whether it was fear or need to stick to my role. I grabbed my camera again and captured those tragic moments between life and death.
After a long sea journey
Yemen – With a heavy heart I recall the desperate conditions of most new arrivals who reached the shores of Yemen after a long journey across the Gulf of Yemen and the Red Sea. I have vivid memories of malnourished, dehydrated and traumatized Africans who had survived the most unspeakable violence at the hands of ruthless smugglers.
Upon arrival in Yemen, UNHCR and its partners provide refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from the Horn of Africa with water, food and medical care, before transporting them to one of the three reception centres along the Yemen’s coast. Here they can rest for few days to restore their energy before proceeding on their journey.
Somalis are automatically recognized as refugees, while other nationalities struggle to obtain the same level of protection. Ethiopians, who have made up the majority of arrivals since 2009, often use Yemen as a transit country to reach the richer Gulf countries in search of jobs, while most Somalis, especially families, often opt for settling down in Yemen. The most vulnerable Somali refugees are given shelter and assistance in Kharaz camp.
From January 2008 through December 2011, more than 284,000 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from the Horn Africa made the perilous journey across the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Among those who made the crossing over the same four-year period, some 1,100 are known to have drowned according to UNHCR.
Rocco Nuri 