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.

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.

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."

The situation in Somalia means more refugees are arriving than ever before.

The UN says that at current rates, three times as many Somalis will come to Yemen in 2008 as they did last year.

Because conditions in refugee camps in Yemen are so basic, many people come to big towns and cities seeking a better life.

The house Ahmed lives in costs 20,000 Yemeni riyals ($100) a month. It has electricity, but no running water or sewage outlet.

Refugees say accomodation is the biggest problem they face, aside from money problems.

About 120,000 Somali refugees have signed up with the UN, though many new arrivals do not bother to register.

The government says there are 500,000 refugees, piling extra pressure on a strained economy and pushing up rents.

Yemen is the poorest country in the Middle East, but continues its open-door policy for Somalis, partly because of strong historic ties between Yemen and Somalia.

Ahmed left Somalia with no possessions and has not managed to accumulate many in the year he has been in Yemen.

His entire worldly goods consist of two pairs of trousers, two shirts, a pair of shoes and one toothbrush.

Despite his tiny salary, he does manage to send money back home to his parents in Mogadishu, usually about $25 a month.

Unlike many new refugees who have no money to phone home, Ahmed talks to his family – very briefly – every couple of weeks.

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.

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."

By Stephanie Hancock