Dangerous crossing

With conflict raging in Somalia, thousands of Somalis have been risking one of the world's most dangerous boat journeys across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen.
Ahmed Mohamed Abdul, 32, fled from Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

"Life there became too difficult, there was just so much insecurity," he says.
Life in Yemen is also tough. Like hundreds of other young Somali men, Ahmed makes a living washing cars.

Menial work
Ahmed and other Somali refugees say the Yemeni people generally treat him well, but Somalis are an easy target for insults and often the first to be on the receiving end of violence.
Ahmed says it can be difficult getting clients to pay up, and often they only give him a fraction of what was promised.
As well as car washing, Somali migrants can be found doing other casual, menial jobs in Yemen like sweeping the streets, washing dishes or – for women – working as domestic maids.

Lower pay
Ahmed works on the streets of the capital, Sanaa, where he earns between 300 and 500 Yemeni riyals a day ($1.50-$2.50).
In Somalia he drove supplies of food across the country.
"I would earn good money every month. But there were many bandits on the road trying to steal the goods and kill people.
“Recently I was even shot myself - I received two bullets: one in my ankle and one in my shoulder. Afterwards I tried to continue working, but then it got too dangerous."

Raped
Ahmed's 19-year-old sister, Fatum, tells the story of why she left.
"One day I was out walking and some Ethiopian soldiers started to beat me with their guns, and then they raped me right there in the street,” she says.
“I ran away but later, that same night, they found my house and came to repeat their actions."
"I don't mind if you show my picture because then everybody will know what's happening in Somalia and do something about it."

Bread and tea
Cooking is a communal affair in Ahmed's household, and food is shared around.
"I eat once a day, twice if I have earned good money," he said.
"In the morning I eat two pieces of bread with vegetables, and at night, if there's money, I eat bread again with tea.”
Ahmed has two sisters living with him who rely on him for support.
Both his sisters tried to go to Saudi Arabia to work, but were deported and ended up back in Yemen.

Missing home
Ahmed says life is better than in Somalia, but only just.
"I will stay here until security in my own country returns.
"When I think of my home I'm sad, I really miss my own country, but when I consider of all the problems with the Ethiopians and the Islamic Courts I remember why I'm here.
“The event which touched my sister was very sad. For the moment I am satisfied to live here. I would like to go home but that's just not possible."

Abdinasir Ahmed Kheyre (Abtiga)
koyla571@hotmail.com
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