Update Dangerous Crossings: Using music and testimonies to highlight the risks of crossing to Yemen, June 2018

Background

In early 2017, UNHCR launched the Dangerous Crossings campaign to spread awareness among the tens of thousands of refugees and migrants who risk their lives crossing the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea from the Horn of Africa to war-stricken Yemen.

With the help of prominent musicians from Ethiopia, Somalia, and Egypt, UNHCR produced the Dangerous Crossings song to help raise awareness and break the business model of people trafficking and smuggling.

During late 2017, UNHCR launched the regional roll-out of the campaign in the Horn of Africa. This has included the production of powerful video testimonials from survivors of trafficking and smuggling, some of which have been screened at the Cannes Film Festival to name but one. The Dangerous Crossings song has so far received ten awards from a multitude of international film festivals.

Next phase

• Each unique video testimonial will feature TV stations based in different regions in Ethiopia every week, for a period of 14 weeks.

• Radio spots of the testimonials will target networks based in regional capitals and local communities, accompanied by the staggered launch of new recordings of songs linked to Dangerous Crossings in 4 languages across the Horn of Africa.

• Print media advisories will be issued to complement TV and radio spots, providing information on the campaign and survivor testimonials, leading to lively and engaging panel discussions and talk shows.

• Print and video materials will be used to target refugees and host communities through grassroots and outreach activities, with materials also distributed in key transit points along main migratory routes.