Between Hope and Hardship: a Study on the Health and Reintegration Challenges of Ethiopian Migrant Returnees

This study explores the health and reintegration challenges faced by Ethiopian returnees following irregular migration, primarily to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The increase in deportations has exposed returnees to significant physical, psychological, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. A mixed-methods approach—comprising ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, document reviews, and surveys—was employed to capture the lived experiences of 107 returnees in Addis Ababa. Findings revealed that 63% of participants suffered from physical health issues, often linked to detention conditions or exploitative labor, while 54% reported psychological distress, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Alarmingly, 36% of female returnees disclosed experiences of sexual and gender-based violence. Economically, reintegration was marked by instability: 71% were unemployed and 82% lacked access to income-generating opportunities. Reintegration assistance was scarce, with only 12% receiving support from either governmental or non-governmental sources. Many returnees were unaware of existing services, which were often fragmented, under-resourced, and heavily reliant on external donors. Social stigma and exclusion—especially affecting women and individuals with visible health conditions—emerged as critical barriers to reintegration. To address these challenges, the study proposes a transformational reintegration framework emphasizing multisectoral collaboration, comprehensive health and psychosocial assessments, vocational certification initiatives, and policy reform in bilateral labor agreements to embed reintegration protections. The findings aim to inform Ethiopian policymakers, development partners, and civil society organizations working toward sustainable reintegration solutions for returnees.