‘ One in three migrants dies while fleeing conflict in Africa’

ANEW report released yesterday by the United Nations International Organisation for Migration ( IOM) and launched by the African Union Commission ( AUC) has shown alarming trends in migrant deaths and disappearances over the past decade, noting that one in three migrants’ deaths occurs in the course of fleeing conflicts.

More than one- third of deceased migrants, whose country of origin could be identified, come from countries in conflict or with large refugee populations, highlighting the dangers faced by those attempting to flee conflict zones without safe pathways, noted the new report titled ‘ A Decade of Documenting Migrant Deaths’ which is part of efforts to mark the 10year milestone of IOM’S Missing Migrants Project. Since tracking began in 2014, more than 63,000 people have died or are missing and presumed dead, with 2023 the deadliest year yet when over 8,500 deaths were recorded.

Spokesperson at IOM’S Global Data Institute, Jorge Galindo, said: “The figures are quite alarming. We see that 10 years on, people continue to lose their lives in search of a better one. Most people and over 60 per cent of deaths recorded by the project are due to drowning.”

Among the report’s key findings is the high number of unidentified deaths. More than two- thirds of migrants whose deaths were documented remain unidentified.

Other findings show that conflict and violence remain the main drivers of displacements and movements in Sub- Saharan Africa, worsened by increasing climate shocks and hazards. The report highlights that migration primarily occurs within the African continent, rather than beyond its borders.

The interlinks between migration drivers in Africa, including economic disparities, political instability and impacts of climate change are also emphasised in the document

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