The UNHCR reports that ongoing fighting within Somalia has pushed approximately 12,000 Somalis to the northern port town of Bossaso where most are preparing to attempt a crossing of the Golf of Aden in September when more favourable weather conditions will likely be present.
“Last year, more than 50,000 new arrivals reached Yemen’s shores a 70 percent increase from 2007. The trend has continued during the first six months of this year, with around 30,000 new arrivals the total for the whole of 2007.”
“More than 1,000 people drowned en route in 2008 as they were thrown overboard or forced to disembark too far from the shore by unscrupulous smugglers. So far this year, almost 300 have died or gone missing.”
Click here for UNHCR statement.
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