Ethiopia: Despite Rising Death Toll, Eastern Route Sees Sharp Rise in Migrant Movements

Despite an increase in deaths and disappearances along the eastern route linking the Horn of Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, migrant movements surged sharply in the first half of 2025, with departures up by 34% to 238,000 and at least 348 migrants reported dead or missing, mainly in Djibouti's Obock desert due to extreme heat and forced sea disembarkations.