The Horn of Africa is facing the most severe drought in more than 40 years, affecting an estimated 36 million people. Under the 2022 and 2023 Migrant Response Plan for the Horn of Africa and Yemen, MMC and IOM have partnered to generate an evidence base on the different mobility patterns linked to the drought crisis. This snapshot examines the impact of the drought on international migration along the Eastern Route towards the Arabian Peninsula, shedding light on the profiles, drivers and mobility patterns of affected Ethiopians interviewed in key points of transit in Djibouti.
Key findings
• 25% of respondents who had left drought-affected areas of Ethiopia reported their community was affected by a lack of rainfall and that their decision to leave was linked to environmental factors.
• Drought impacted respondents’ households through loss of livestock (53%), increasing food prices (46%) and loss of income (43%).
• Loss of livestock and crops were each cited as key triggers of the decision to migrate by over half of the respondents (57%).
• 75% of respondents reported that one or more other members of their household had also left their place of origin due to drought, mostly moving within Ethiopia (62 out of 94).
• Household members who stayed in their place of origin most often did so to care for land (62%), livestock (47%) and other household members (45%), according to respondents who had moved.
Source: International Organization for Migration