African migrants who are stranded in Yemen as the country's border with Saudi Arabia remains closed are facing an unfolding humanitarian crisis worsened by depleting aid supplies, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
With humanitarian aid running low, migrants there are finding it even harder to survive.
Abdulaziz Mohammed, an Ethiopian migrant, arrived in Aden in southern Yemen about 15 days ago after a risky sea journey with smugglers. He had hoped to reach Saudi Arabia for a better life, but his journey came to a halt at the heavily guarded border.
"I was trying to cross into Saudi Arabia, but now the border is heavily guarded. The military has closed the border, and the police have tightened security there. We cannot cross, so I am here in Yemen. We have no place to stay. We look for food on the streets and sleep under the trees," he said.
Abdulaziz is one of thousands of migrants who continue to travel from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, despite the risks at sea, smuggling networks and security concerns.
The IOM says more than 110,000 migrants arrived in Yemen between January and the end of July.
"Migrants in Yemen face many risks, including human trafficking, exploitation, detention, violence and various forms of abuse. Many of them rely on smuggling networks to facilitate their movement, which exposes them to harm and risks that are not limited to crossing borders, but continue to affect them throughout the entire journey," said Mohamad Hatoum, IOM programme manager for protection.
But reaching Yemen does not mean they can continue their journey. Many find themselves stranded without shelter, income or basic services in a country already facing a deep humanitarian crisis.
"There are major economic, political, geographical and security challenges resulting from this migration. In Yemen specifically, because of the war and the difficult economic situation, there are certainly additional burdens on the host country. We all know the situation we have reached, with international organizations absent and no aid available for internally displaced people. So they undoubtedly represent an additional burden," said Mansour Al-Jaradi, a humanitarian aid activist.
African migrants stranded in Yemen face worsening humanitarian crisis
African migrants stranded in Yemen face worsening humanitarian crisis
After more than three months at sea, members of China's 16th Arctic Ocean expedition have jointly created a painting that captures both the triumphs and trials of polar scientific research.
Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the expedition deployed four ships, Xuelong, Xuelong 2, Jidi, and Tansuo 3, to study extreme environmental changes in the Arctic against the backdrop of accelerating global warming. On September 29, Xuelong and Xuelong 2 returned to Shanghai after completing their missions.
During the voyage, China Media Group (CMG) reporters aboard Xuelong invited nearly 100 crew members to collaborate on a canvas, sharing their experiences. The painting depicts the difficulties and challenges they faced, the honors and expectations of their research, and the images of those dedicated to science.
Before any crew member ever picked up a brush, the Arctic had already sketched the background with its extreme weather. Strong winds, torrents, and a harsh environment posed major challenges for the researchers.
"After staying outside for some five or ten minutes, our hands would already be frozen red. When we reached the trough of the waves [on a boat], it would look as if the waves were coming right over our heads," recalled Zhu Chengwei, an expedition member.
Despite the hardship, the researchers successfully tested and used domestically produced advanced ocean observation equipment in polar research -- one of their proudest moments, which they recorded on the canvas.
Qin Chuan, captain of the Xuelong ocean team, chose to paint a domestically produced monitor float.
"This is an Argo float we deployed, which automatically monitors ocean profiles. It has great significance for understanding the basic marine environment, and it's made in China," he said.
Xie Haixiang, director of the Xuelong laboratory, sketched a fundamental research equipment for the trip.
"I will draw a CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth instrument). The CTD is the most important equipment for ocean surveys, providing the most basic data and water samples," he said.
"Only by carrying equipment onto the Arctic sea ice yourself and lowering the instruments, can you get what you want. For instance, we take a little ocean water, and analyze what's in it, to understand the changes each year. Global warming needs to be understood through different dimensions," recalled researcher Zhu.
Beyond the canvas, what stands out even more striking are the moments of dedication: veteran members leading newcomers onto the ice, a group holding its ground in level-8 gales and heavy snow, and 30 people relaying to recover equipment stuck in the ice.
The most important element, beyond any record or image in the painting, is this group of expedition members who fear no hardship.
"Whenever I think of the polar spirit, countless images of those standing at the very front would flash before my eyes," Zhu said.
"What we have done today will benefit future generations. Although we are doing something that may seem very insignificant, I believe it will surely prove its worth in the future,"said Ning Wenfeng, another team member.
China's 16th Arctic expedition crews paint portrait of proud polar expedition moments, hardships
