Yemenis seek safety in Djibouti as African migrants continue crossing to Yemen

Yemenis seek safety in Djibouti as African migrants continue crossing to Yemen

Abdullah Mohammed, 37, is a Yemeni expatriate in Djibouti, where he first arrived in 2017 after losing his job with an oil company in Yemen.

He works in a clothing shop, which yields enough to provide a decent living for his six family members back home.

Djibouti has welcomed thousands of Yemenis who travelled in search of work in an easily accessible neighbouring country - unlike the Gulf states, which are virtually impossible to reach for Yemeni refugees or those who cannot afford high visa fees.

“When I first entered Djibouti, I travelled with neighbours, and no special preparation was needed since visas are granted upon arrival," Mohammed told Middle East Eye.

"Since then, I feel like I am in my own country; the authorities don’t hassle us or demand high fees for visa renewals and other requirements."

Read more: Yemenis seek safety in Djibouti as African migrants continue arriving in Yemen