Abstract
This article explores how some potential migrants in the Horn of Africa incorporate the prospects of extreme danger into their journeys. It draws on evidence from qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with over 400 respondents, mainly from Ethiopian and Somali communities. It shows that the risks of migration within the Horn of Africa are often well known, thanks to strong migrant networks and improved mobile communications. Indeed, migrants may be better informed of the risks of the journey than they are about their prospects of securing a good living upon arrival. However, rather than discouraging people’s migration, high risk may open up new possibilities. This article supports this argument with two examples. First, as Yemen descended into civil war, the breakdown of state control created new opportunities to move undetected, notwithstanding the threat of injury and death. This helps explain why the number of Ethiopians passing through Yemen increased with the conflict, contrary to expectations. Second, some young Somalis are soliciting the services of smugglers to help them move towards Europe, knowing that they are likely to be abused and held for ransom en route. They gamble on their captors’ demands being met by family members, who would not otherwise have endorsed or paid for their journey. These findings challenge common assumptions about risk and decision-making, and suggests that some migrants may move because of, rather than in spite of, the risks involved. It also calls into question initiatives that seek to deter migration by raising awareness about the risks of the journey.
Highlights
Migration is an inherently risky process with varying probability of a negative outcome
In the case of Ethiopians transiting through Yemen, widespread insecurity generated by the five-year civil war gives them a greater chance of crossing borders undetected
Before presenting our findings in more detail, this section gives a brief overview of the background and the methods used for the study, which was undertaken by the Research and Evidence Facility (REF) in 2017
Summary
Migration is an inherently risky process with varying probability of a negative outcome. In the case of Ethiopians transiting through Yemen, widespread insecurity generated by the five-year civil war gives them a greater chance of crossing borders undetected Both groups are acting rationally to achieve their ends—to reach their destination—but the risk they are concerned about is as much that of failing, as that of being injured (physically or mentally) or killed on the way. While migrants have to tolerate unavoidable risk in this way, in some cases, the extreme dangers open up new opportunities that may facilitate their movement and it may even play a critical role in their decisions about how and where to migrate In light of these findings, the article raises questions about contemporary migration policies, in particular perceptions around smugglers and the effectiveness of campaigns that provide information about the risks and dangers of migration
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
