The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recently announced that around 8,000 people died or went missing along dangerous migration routes last year. Approximately 3,000 migrant deaths were recorded in Asia, more than half of whom were Afghans.
In a newly published report, the organization warned that the reduction of legal migration opportunities is pushing more people into the hands of smugglers and toward deadly journeys.
According to the report, most asylum seekers lost their lives along migration routes in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly from departure points in African countries.
The organization emphasized that due to funding shortages, it is unable to document all cases of migrant deaths, and the actual number of victims is likely higher.
The report further noted that the United States and the European Union—two major destinations for asylum seekers—have adopted stricter migration policies, which have left many migrants trapped in dangerous situations.
Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, stated in a statement: “The continued deaths and disappearances of migrants along migration routes represent a global failure that we cannot normalize.”
She added that these deaths are not inevitable; when safe pathways are unavailable, people are forced to undertake dangerous journeys.
The IOM Director General stressed that countries must take steps to expand safe and regular migration pathways to ensure that asylum seekers are protected regardless of their country of origin or beliefs.
According to the organization, sea routes remain among the deadliest migration pathways. Last year, at least 2,108 people were killed or went missing in the Mediterranean Sea.
Additionally, 922 people died while crossing from the Horn of Africa toward Yemen and the Gulf countries.
The International Organization for Migration stated that this trend has continued into the current year, with 606 migrants losing their lives in the Mediterranean Sea during the first two months alone.
