Who would have thought that a pandemic would draw people much farther apart? It’s the exact opposite of how people should draw closer to each other in times of need. Well, coronavirus has proved to be a unique disease on its own. We have seen worst cases scenario of viruses like the Ebola outbreak, however that one was quickly managed before it could spread to other countries making it hard for migrants in Yemen.
The disease took less than a year to spread to every corner of the world. Millions of people have been infected and thousands succumbed to death. The disease has had an effect on people both physically and mentally. Families have been torn apart due to domestic violence, jobs have been lost. The most shaking experiences are the stigmatization migrants are subjugated upon in different countries especially in Yemen.
Migrants facing it rough in Yemen
For the longest time Yemen has not been in the good books when it comes to welcoming its migrants. It’s been six years when UN came into terms with the brutal nature these people were exposed to. Discrimination especially to the African natives is the norm that continues to disturb people in this country way before the virus took a toll in the world.
The corona virus has just added to the list of problems these migrants have to endure. This is as a result of migrants being scape-goated as carriers of the disease. Well, this has not worked out well for them. Cases of discrimination and stigmatization have since increased. The country in her defense is battling the spread of the disease. The infections are at 1516 with 429 reported deaths as of Wednesday. Compared to other countries, one would say the country is doing fairly well at curbing the disease.
The hardships and inhuman encounters
Nonetheless, this has not stopped the country from forcibly transferring them internally as well as harassing them. The international organization for migrations spokesman however failed to disclose those connected with the transfers. Those that are still in the country are left to find themselves spending cold nights on dirty pavements. All sorts of malice and heightened insecurities are problems they have to hope they won’t face every day apart from contracting the deadly corona virus. Rapists, abductors, thieves are preying on them day in day out.
The road to Yemen
For those that have been transferred, it is no good news for them. Some might even be held in detention centers unattended for. Thus no food or water is at least being offered to them. Close to 14,500 immigrants are set to be stuck across Yemen. The UN speculate the number could be more. Most of them coming from Ethiopia. Interestingly, Ethiopians are able to trek hundreds of miles from their villages, through Djibouti or Somalia then across the sea through Yemen.
The adventure is a risky one, but in hope of finding greener pastures they are pumped up to match on. It is not until they meet with the cruel reality that will leave most of them craving to go back to where they came from. The UN quotes this as the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis”.
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