The Arabic version of Alixandra Fazzina’s latest book A Million Shillings – Escape from Somalia (Trolley, 2010) was officially launched last Friday the 14th of January at the government buildings in Aden, Yemen, by António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

As well as the Press Conference, the launch gave the opportunity to the High Commissioner to hand over the book in person to the high dignitaries of the Yemeni government; it is thought the book will play a key role in contributing to putting the plight of refugees and migrants on the official agendas.

The Yemeni port town of Aden overlooks the Gulf of Aden, the crossing of which by thousands – hopeful and desperate – fleeing their home countries in the Horn of Africa is documented in a frank, intimate and deeply moving way by British photographer Alixandra Fazzina in her book. Alixandra received the prestigious Nansen Refugee Award by the UNHCR last October for her outstanding work on behalf of refugees; it was the first time the award went to a photographer.

Whilst the English version of the book keeps getting much attention and critical acclaim, both by the media and official institutions, it is hoped that the Arabic version will help it reach an even wider audience across the world, and to continue to advocate for the cause of these people who deserve a better treatment and better conditions, both at home and in the receiving countries.