The eastern route to Saudi Arabia, a land of opportunity for many, has become a gauntlet of unimaginable brutality for those who attempt it. For Jamal, an Ethiopian man in his early thirties, the journey wasn’t about seeking a better life for himself, but about finding his sixteen-year-old nephew, who disappeared while attempting to reach the Kingdom. His story, a harrowing testament to the dangers faced by migrants and the lengths families will proceed to for one another, underscores the escalating violence along this increasingly perilous migration corridor. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports a surge in kidnappings, extortion, and systematic abuse on the eastern route, a path traversed by tens of thousands of Ethiopians each year fleeing conflict, poverty, and increasingly, the impacts of climate change.
Many are lured by false promises from traffickers, preying on desperation and offering a path that quickly devolves into exploitation. According to the IOM, the eastern route stretches across arid landscapes in Ethiopia and Djibouti, then across the Gulf of Aden, and finally through the war-torn nation of Yemen. It’s a journey where hope often gives way to terror, and where the price of survival can be devastatingly high. Jamal’s search for his nephew led him directly into the heart of this darkness, a decision born of familial love and a desperate refusal to deliver up.
A Desperate Search in Yemen
When Jamal learned his nephew had been kidnapped in Yemen, the family scraped together a ransom, hoping for his safe return. But the money disappeared, and the boy remained missing. Driven by a profound sense of responsibility – his brother had no other children – Jamal embarked on a dangerous mission to find him. “I had no choice,” he explained, his voice heavy with the weight of his ordeal. He deliberately placed himself in the path of traffickers, hoping to be taken to the same location where his nephew was being held.
The plan worked. Jamal was reunited with his nephew, carefully concealing his recognition to avoid raising suspicion. While there, he quietly aided other captives in planning their escape, a small act of defiance against the cruelty surrounding them. But before he could secure their own freedom, he was discovered. The consequences were swift and brutal. Jamal was forced to witness horrific acts of violence – beatings, mutilations, and even captives being burned – a chilling display of the traffickers’ power and disregard for human life.
© IOM/Mylaèle Negga
Jamal rests in a shelter for migrants in Djibouti.
Then, the torment turned to him. His captors repeatedly wrapped his feet in plastic and set them alight, inflicting burns that have left permanent damage, impacting his ability to walk, sleep, and live with the trauma of that night. The physical and emotional scars run deep. Their escape came unexpectedly, amidst a chaotic firefight between rival trafficking groups. Seizing the opportunity, Jamal and his nephew fled, their freedom born from the conflict of their captors.
Seeking Refuge and Healing in Djibouti
After months of hardship in Yemen, surviving by working as a car washer to earn enough money to continue his journey, Jamal finally reached Djibouti. He was referred to an IOM Migrant Response Centre in Obock, where he received crucial medical care for his injuries and, perhaps more importantly, psychosocial support to begin processing the horrors he had endured. The IOM provides assistance to vulnerable migrants along the eastern route, offering services like medical attention, counseling, and support with voluntary return or onward migration. The IOM’s Djibouti office specifically focuses on protecting and assisting migrants traveling through the country.
© IOM/Mylaèle Negga
Jamal is treated for his injuries at a shelter for migrants in Djibouti.
“For the first time since his ordeal, someone asked not only where he came from, but how he was coping,” a representative from the IOM center shared. This simple act of acknowledging his emotional state was profoundly impactful for Jamal, who had been solely focused on survival and the search for his nephew. The center provides a safe space for migrants to begin rebuilding their lives, offering not just physical healing but similarly the emotional support needed to confront their trauma.
Today, Jamal is preparing to return to Ethiopia. He has yet to tell his mother the full extent of what happened, fearing the pain it will cause her. His concern remains firmly with her well-being, a testament to his selflessness and enduring love. “She saw me leave in good health,” he said, his voice laced with worry. “I am worried about her seeing me like this. I will have to explain it to her gently.”
IOM/Eva Sibanda
Clothes thought to be discarded by migrants lie in the Djibouti desert.
The Broader Crisis of Migration on the Eastern Route
Jamal’s story is not unique. It represents the plight of countless individuals undertaking the dangerous journey along the eastern route. The factors driving this migration are complex, ranging from political instability and armed conflict in Ethiopia and Yemen to economic hardship and the increasing impacts of climate change, such as drought and food insecurity. The United Nations reports that climate change is increasingly becoming a key driver of displacement and migration in Africa.
The vulnerability of migrants on this route is exacerbated by the predatory practices of human traffickers and smugglers, who exploit their desperation for profit. The IOM continues to advocate for increased protection measures for migrants, including strengthened law enforcement efforts to combat trafficking and smuggling, as well as increased humanitarian assistance to those in need. The IOM’s work on counter-trafficking is crucial in addressing this complex issue.
As Jamal prepares to return home, his future remains uncertain. But his courage and resilience serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of migration and the urgent need for greater protection and support for those who undertake this perilous journey. The IOM is continuing to monitor the situation along the eastern route and provide assistance to vulnerable migrants, but a long-term solution requires addressing the root causes of migration and creating safer, more regular pathways for those seeking a better life. The next update from the IOM regarding assistance programs in Djibouti is expected in early May.
If you or someone you understand has been affected by human trafficking or requires mental health support, please reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Share this story to raise awareness about the dangers faced by migrants on the eastern route to Saudi Arabia and the importance of providing support to those in need.
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