Yemen’s Migrants: How Conflict and Climate Change are Driving Them Back Home

Yemen is facing a deep humanitarian crisis. Years of conflict, economic hardship, and climate change have left many people struggling. Migrants, especially from Ethiopia and Somalia, are looking for safety or work but often find themselves in dire situations.

In March 2025, over a thousand non-Yemeni migrants left Yemen, as reported by the Global Data Institute’s Displacement Tracking Matrix. Once a hub for migrants seeking better opportunities, Yemen is now a place where many feel trapped. The reality is harsh: more than 4.8 million Yemenis are displaced, and 20 million depend on aid just to survive.

Many of these migrants arrive in Yemen without basic resources. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) noted that in 2024, about 60,900 migrants reached Yemen, but they faced severe risks, including violence and exploitation. Public sentiment towards them has soured, as Yemeni citizens see them as competition for already scarce resources.

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable. An Ethiopian woman, just 24, shared her harrowing experience of violence and hunger in Yemen. Compounding these struggles is food insecurity; around 17.1 million Yemenis are facing hunger. Climate issues make it even harder to access food and water. Yemen is one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, and climate change is causing erratic weather patterns, leading to both droughts and floods.

Historically, Yemen has experienced environmental change. In the past, areas that received heavy rainfall now suffer from drought. Farmers are forced to adapt, often changing crops or relocating. Floods have also introduced new diseases, further complicating the crisis.

Many migrants try to return home, but the journey is perilous. A 2020 IOM report warned that approximately 18,200 people risked their lives at sea to escape. Overcrowded boats have capsized, and many migrants must navigate dangerous war zones riddled with landmines.

Amid the turmoil, IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return program offers a glimmer of hope. This initiative helps stranded migrants go home safely. This year, only 66 migrants have returned, starkly lower than the 5,200 who returned in 2024. Funding for this program is critical. A former IOM official pointed out that without immediate support, many vulnerable migrants will remain in harmful conditions.

To learn more about the crisis in Yemen and the ongoing efforts to aid migrants, you can visit the International Organization for Migration’s website.

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