Yemeni Embassies Face Major Challenges in Supporting Youth

Ahmed Bajoaim – Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope)

Yemen faces enormous challenges due to years of economic, political, and social turmoil, pushing many young people to seek better opportunities abroad, regardless of the risks. As emigration surges, concerns grow about its impact on Yemeni society and its future development.

Voice of Hope newspaper interviewed the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Office in Hadhramaut Governorate, Ambassador Salim Balfaqih, to understand the role of relevant authorities in addressing the phenomenon of emigration. The interview focused on its impact on economic development, the loss of vital members of society, and the effects of the crisis on the lives and futures of young people.

Few Job Opportunities

Ambassador Balfaqih confirms, “The Yemeni crisis deeply affects all aspects of life. The lack of jobs has driven many young people to emigrate, many to neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, while others seek new lives and work in European or regional countries.”

He notes that job opportunities abroad may be better than in Yemen, especially given the current security and economic hardships. He hopes that ending the conflict and finding a political solution will improve job prospects at home, allowing young people to work in their fields of expertise instead of resorting to legal or illegal emigration.

The Governmental Role

Embassies and diplomatic missions play a vital role in protecting citizens’ interests, particularly those of young people abroad. Their roles include providing legal support and assistance with immigration, work, and legal rights; facilitating communication with families; assisting with financial transfers; providing emergency aid; offering information on available opportunities; and defending migrants’ rights.

Regarding the role of Yemeni embassies in protecting the interests of young emigrants abroad, the ambassador explained that Yemen has embassies and consulates overseas that support and look after the interests of Yemeni citizens living abroad. When a citizen approaches these embassies or consulates, they are obligated to provide the necessary services and follow up on their issues and problems, if any. Embassies are the first point of contact for any Yemeni citizen abroad, regardless of the circumstances. It’s crucial to respect the laws, regulations, and legislation of those countries and not violate them in any way.

He continued, saying that if a Yemeni citizen faces a problem in their host country, they have two options: either go to the courts in that country or go to the Yemeni embassy for advice, guidance, and solutions, and then they will direct them to the appropriate authority to handle their case.

Regarding documentation services for Yemeni citizens, Ambassador Balfaqih points out that these services—such as issuing official documents, renewing passports, and providing proof of identity—are key responsibilities of embassies and consulates in most countries worldwide.

Consequences of Youth Emigration

Young Yemenis face numerous challenges during emigration, especially if it’s illegal. These include economic, cultural, psychological, and social difficulties.

The Director General notes that the current situation in Yemen has led many young people to illegal migration, exposing them to significant risks. Many have lost their lives due to factors such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict’s repercussions, drowning at sea, and environmental hazards (extreme cold). Migrants also face hunger and thirst. While some succeed, many fail to cross borders, leading to detention, deportation, and despair.

Efforts to Help Young Emigrants

Regarding the role of Yemeni embassies towards young people migrating illegally or legally, Balfaqih stressed that Yemeni embassies and consulates face significant challenges in providing support and assistance to these young people. They can’t help those entering countries without official documents; it’s tough for the embassies to effectively work for them.

He pointed out that young people often head to countries offering refugee facilities, like the Netherlands, seeking asylum. However, embassies face restrictions and complexities in supporting these individuals due to their lack of necessary documents.

Conversely, he mentioned a group of young people going to other countries legally for education. These young people generally abide by those countries’ laws, allowing Yemeni embassies to better support them and handle their issues.

He ruled out any serious government or embassy efforts to address the impacts of migration on young people, noting that Yemen’s difficult security and economic situation makes effective intervention difficult for any entity.

He stated that migration is a personal matter related to young people’s aspirations to improve their living and educational conditions and seek a decent life. Migration becomes complicated, especially in exceptional circumstances, forcing young people to make decisions that may involve serious risks. If the country stabilizes and conditions improve, questions about the motivations for migration might arise, allowing relevant authorities to intervene and provide appropriate support.

He added that Yemeni law allows citizens to hold foreign citizenship alongside Yemeni citizenship, potentially opening new horizons for emigrant youth and easing their adaptation to new countries.

In closing, Ambassador Salim Balfaqih emphasized that the wave of youth emigration stems from several factors: the ongoing conflict, the deteriorating economic situation, and high unemployment rates. However, he clarified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yemeni embassies worldwide bear no legal responsibility for illegal migration and its resulting legal or security repercussions.

The ambassador indicated that the Ministry disclaims responsibility for the risks that illegal migrants may face, such as scams by smugglers, drowning at sea, and other dangers associated with this phenomenon.