2021 Migrant movements between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula

The Eastern Route, which runs from the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, in particular to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has long been the busiest and most relevant migratory corridor in the East and Horn of Africa region. In 2021, movement trends along the Eastern Corridor have significantly increased by 71% compared to 2020, suggesting that migration seems to be slowly resuming to pre-pandemic levels. However, monitored crossings from the Horn to Yemen decreased by 26% compared to 2020, although these have shown a steady but slow increase in the last quarter of 2021.

The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on mobility generated new trends along this corridor. Many migrants became stranded in both transit locations and in host communities that were themselves struggling with the economic and health burden of the pandemic.