AdvertisementIn his words, Belay echoes the anguish of countless migrants trapped in the labyrinthine corridors of Saudi Arabian detention. According to studies, Saudi Arabia currently hosts approximately 750,000 Ethiopian migrants, with around 60% (450,000) believed to have entered the country through irregular means. Undocumented Ethiopian migrant workers in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia often find themselves unable to legalize their residency status. The most recent wave of repatriations saw 102,000 migrants deported by Saudi Arabia in 2022, mostly undocumented migrants. “IOM’s involvement in assisting returnees from Saudi Arabia begins only after migrants arrive at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport,” she explained.

Source: Ethiopian News February 19, 2024 09:53 UTC