Risk and protection: Ethiopian Migrants in Yemen
AGENCY BRIEF
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat (RMMS) are non-profit agencies working closely on refugee, mixed migration and displacement issues in the Horn of Africa (HoA) and Yemen region. DRC is an international agency working in numerous countries with extensive operations primarily addressing the needs of refugees and displaced people. The RMMS is a research, information-collecting and analytical body supporting those working with mixed migration in the HoA region and Yemen. RMMS is an independent entity hosted by the DRC.
BACKGROUND
Over 100,000 asylum seekers, refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa arrived on the south Yemen Arabian Sea and Red Sea coasts in 2011. It is estimated that at least 70,000 of these new arrivals were Ethiopian nationals, with a majority likely harboring an ambition of travelling onwards to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Only 16,689 Ethiopians were registered as asylum seekers in 2011 but their status as asylum seekers and/or refugees is precarious and evidence indicates that Yemen offers refugees status on a discriminatory basis, disfavouring Ethiopians. In effect it is very difficult for Ethiopians to be granted refugee status. Those that do not register as asylum seekers attempt to find work in Yemen itself or move north to the Saudi border ‘under the radar’ as undocumented migrants. Recent reports suggest new arrivals of Somalis and especially Ethiopians along the coast are increasingly targeted by criminals’ intent on extorting money from migrants (through their relatives). Kidnapping, robbery, torture, sexual violence and extortion of new arrivals is a relatively new phenomenon that needs to be better understood and documented.
Meanwhile thousands of Ethiopians are reportedly stranded in Haradh, at the northwestern Yemen-Saudi Arabia border. They consist of those who have arrived in the area without resources to move on, those who have been (sometimes repeatedly) deported back to Yemen, by Saudi authorities as illegal foreigners and others either escaped or released by smugglers and traffickers after various ordeals. Other Ethiopians find work in Yemen, predominantly in the informal sector and without official sanction. Women often find work as domestic labourers while men reportedly find work in khat plantations or other agricultural work. With no comprehensive data on the number of migrants that manage to cross the border with Saudi Arabia and in view of the tightened border controls by Saudi authorities, it is suspected that a substantial number of migrants remain in Yemen. What remains unclear, however, is their social, economic and protection situation in the country.
The proposed research will thus seek to answer the following questions:
• How many Ethiopians are living in Yemen?
• What is their legal status (refugee, registered at embassy, illegal, awaiting AVR)? Where are they?
• What is their social economic profile? What kind of work are they employed in (by gender/age)?
• What protection challenges do those that find work face?
• What are the characteristics and details of the recent phenomenon of kidnapping, torture, extortion etc (i.e. trafficking and criminality) facing Ethiopian migrants in Yemen? Who are the perpetrators, what are the dynamics, how do they act with impunity, what methods are used etc?
• What are their intentions as relates to local integration or return to their country of origin? (i.e. circular/seasonal migration or transit to another location for permanent settlement?)
• How can this constituency be contacted for awareness-raising purposes? Names and contact details of Ethiopian interest organizations or contact persons.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
• Profile the “hidden” Ethiopian migrants in Yemen: how many, where, where from, why?
• Establish a profile of other, non-Somali migrants.
• Provide qualitative information on their social and economic situation in Yemen, giving particular focus on any protection concerns they face.
• Specifically investigate characteristics of trafficking and violent criminality facing irregular migrants in Yemen.
• Identify contact points and civil society organization working with Ethiopians in Yemen.
• Develop action-oriented recommendations.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology prescribed for the study consists of the following:
DESK REVIEW
To understand the context, conditions and history of mixed migration in the Horn of Africa and Yemen.
• Review on literature on Ethiopian migrants in Yemen – this will be very limited and should take up a small part of the time allocated.
• Review of literature on socioeconomic sectors likely to employ Ethiopian migrants (domestic workers, khat plantations)
• Review of the registration data of new arrivals in Yemen that is systematically recorded by the Danish Refugee Council, UN agencies such as UNHCR and UNICEF; and IOM.
• Review of the new arrivals protection screening reports from interviews conducted by the DRC Red Sea protection team on the Red Sea coast; rapid.(Sources: UNHCR, MMTF, DRC, IOM, RMMS, literature on Yemeni society and economy)
STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS
While the international consultant manages the research and visits official sources, the local researchers are on the ground.
• Focus group discussions and one-on-one interviews with Ethiopian refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and victims of trafficking and other crimes. These can be conducted by both the international and the local researchers.
• Interviews with Yemen community leaders, GoY officials, United Nations officials, non-governmental organizations, civil society and human rights organizations. These can be conducted by both the international and the local researchers.
FIELD VISITS
This is the real meat of the study and a strategy and approach needs to be established although almost certainly a ‘snowball’ research approach can be expected to work best. Essentially Yemenis will know the answers to most of the questions and we need Yemenis on the ground finding out what they can. In terms of investigating Ethiopians who work in Yemen the context is not expected to be very clandestine, if at all, and so data can be gathered. As for the investigation of trafficking, while victims of trafficking and those assisting them are likely to offer high quality information the nature of the activities will be clandestine and caution will be needed when exploring the details.
TRAINING
Researchers will need to be trained and understand methods of investigating both categories of information prior to starting their work.
Known entry points for Ethiopian migrants: Taiz, Shabwa and Abyan governorates.
Known transit and residential areas: Kharaz refugee camp, Aden, Sana’a, Lahj, Dhalaa, Hodeida, Al Bayda and Taiz governorates
Known exit points: Saada and Hajjah governorates Through the research the main areas will be identified.
DELIVERABLES
A 30 to 40 page report in English, Times New Roman font 10, providing an in-depth analysis of the location and situation of Ethiopian migrants in Yemen, and outlining the protection challenges they face as well as an in-depth analysis of trafficking risks and characteristics facing Ethiopians in Yemen.
The report will be correctly referenced and evidence based with quotes and data correctly attributed and justified. The report should also provide a speculative trend analysis of possible future migration patterns.
MANAGEMENT
This is a joint research initiative by DRC (Regional Office and Yemen) and the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat (RMMS Nairobi).
THE RMMS
will be the lead agency in identifying the team leader (recruitment / selection) for the work, agreeing the methodology of the work and monitoring the progress of the work as well as the drafting for the final report, its design and publication. Overall the RMMS coordinator will therefore be the focal point for the consultant and his/her team and the research process.
DRC (REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE HORN OF AFRICA AND YEMEN)
will be part of the management team (with RMMS and DRC Yemen) that will consult regularly to monitor and direct the progress of the work. This will be the Research Management Team (RMT).
DRC YEMEN
will take a lead in identifying and recruiting the other members of the consultancy team ond offer support to their work in terms of logistics, security advice, finance and administration. In effect DRC Yemen will support the day to day management of the team on the ground. As mentioned DRC Yemen will also be part of the RMT.
All members of the RMT will be part of the draft report review process and the final published report will need to be approved by all members of the RMT.
THE CONSULTANTS
Ideally the team will consist of 6 consultants, one international and two nationals (Yemeni) and three refugees consisting of 3 Amharic / Oromo speaking people – 2 men and one women.
THE INTERNATIONAL (LEAD) CONSULTANT
should have knowledge of International and regional frameworks on refugee protection as well as refugee and migration patterns, and experience undertaking qualitative and quantitative, using formal and informal research methodologies. Experience with trafficking issues also an advantage. If possible the consultant would be Arab speaking with high quality English writing skills. Excellent communications skills in English is a requirement for the team leader position.
TWO NATIONAL CONSULTANTS
(Yemeni) are required to lead field visits and field research. They will be supported by two male Amharic/Oromo speaking men (one each) and one woman (specifically for assistance with research amongst Ethiopian women in Yemen). In effect there will be two field teams (consisting of one Yemeni national and one Ethiopia refugee) with a female refugee assisting the research amongst Ethiopian women.
This is the initial plan. The precise configuration of the teams and their deployment will be worked out in close consultation with the selected team leader and DRC Yemen.
FURTHER INFORMATION
You are welcome to contact DRC Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat Coordinator, Me. Chris Horwood on email: to coordinator coordinator@regionalmms.org for further information or questions on the programme.
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.
COMMITMENTS
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter to coordinator@regionalmms.org explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the research. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated requirements will be considered.
Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Risk and protection: Ethiopian Migrants in Yemen” to coordinator@regionalmms.org no later than 16 March, 2012.
WORKPLAN/TIMELINE
The field aspect of the assignment is expected to take a maximum of three months. The whole project will take five months.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter to coordinator@regionalmms.org explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the research. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated requirements will be considered.
Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Risk and protection: Ethiopian Migrants in Yemen” to coordinator@regionalmms.org no later than 16 March, 2012.
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