Tragic Reality: Migrant Deaths Soar While Fleeing Conflict
GENEVA — In a shocking revelation, the UN migration agency, IOM, disclosed that one in three migrant deaths occurs during the perilous journey to escape conflict. The stark reality is that over two-thirds of migrant deaths remain unidentified, leaving families in anguish.
Last year marked the deadliest on record, with a staggering 8,541 migrant lives lost. Tragically, nearly 60 percent of these deaths were attributed to drowning, emphasizing the dangers faced by those seeking refuge.
The grim trend continues in 2024, with alarming statistics emerging. Despite a decrease in arrivals along the Mediterranean Sea route, the number of deaths remains distressingly high. Since January 1st, 956 migrants have perished, underscoring the ongoing crisis.
IOM highlighted the persistent issue of unidentified deaths, with more than two-thirds of deceased migrants remaining nameless. This lack of clarity leaves loved ones grappling with uncertainty about the fate of their missing family members. To date, 26,666 individuals who died while migrating remain unaccounted for.
Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s deputy director general for operations, lamented the tragic toll on vulnerable populations, noting that around 5,500 females and nearly 3,500 children have lost their lives in the past decade. However, the actual number of women and children who have perished is likely much higher, with over 37,000 unidentified deaths.
Moreover, the report reveals that over one-third of identified deceased migrants hail from conflict-ridden countries or regions with large refugee populations. This highlights the extreme risks faced by individuals fleeing conflict without access to safe migration pathways, as evidenced by the deadliest route – the Central Mediterranean – claiming over 23,000 lives since 2014.
“The urgency to address the devastating impact of migrant deaths demands actionable solutions,” emphasized Daniels, advocating for enhanced data collection to establish safer migration routes for those escaping turmoil in their homelands.
As part of its new Strategic Plan 2024-2028, IOM’s primary objective is to save lives and safeguard individuals on the move. The agency calls upon nations and partners to collaborate in eliminating migrant deaths and mitigating the profound repercussions of the tens of thousands of lives lost on migratory routes worldwide. — UN News
