ICERAS

It’s a hot day in Kent with calm waters lapping the shore off the shortest sea span between England and France.

These are perfect conditions to move migrants across the world’s busiest shipping lane to where they hope to make a home.

In the early mornings locals say they see people – even pregnant women – without belongings, resting on the beach, relieved to have survived the crossing.

Recent conditions have seen large numbers of migrants travel to the UK in small boats across the English channel, to claim asylum and start a new life.

More than 200 reached the Kent coast last weekend alone.

This is a very brief overview of the main places they are coming from and what they’re trying to escape.

Yemen

Yemen is one of the world’s poorest countries and has been devastated by a civil war.

It lies on the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula and major fighting between two religious groups has been going on for almost 10 years.

But recently the violence has stepped up with the support of some neighbouring countries.

This has brought a variety of problems, including attacks by jihadists, a movement to break away from Yemen in the south, as well as corruption, unemployment and food becoming scarce for people who live there.

• Yemen country profile
• Yemen crisis: Why is there a war?

Eritrea

Eritrea, situated on the Red Sea opposite Saudi Arabia, is one of Africa’s poorest countries.

An estimated 1.5 million Eritreans now live overseas – about a fifth of its people.

One reason people leave is the country’s indefinite military service. Anyone between 18 and 50 can be called up and it can last for years.

For decades, the Eritrean economy has struggled because of a combination of war, authoritarian rule and the impact of United Nations sanctions.

There is hope that a new relationship with Ethiopia can continue to open up the economy and improve conditions for people living there. source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-53721146