Last year marked the deadliest on record for migrants, with nearly 9,000 confirmed deaths on treacherous routes worldwide, including the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, the United Nations migration agency reported on Friday.
According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), at least 8,938 people lost their lives in 2024 while attempting dangerous journeys in search of better opportunities. The deadliest migration routes were in Asia, followed by the Mediterranean and African crossings, including the perilous Sahara Desert.
IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, called for urgent international action, stating, “The increase in deaths across so many regions in the world shows why we need a holistic response to prevent further tragic loss of life.”
The agency’s data, which dates back to 2014, shows a consistent rise in migrant deaths since 2021, with thousands more likely unaccounted for due to gaps in official records.
The crisis is exacerbated by funding shortages. The Geneva-based IOM, along with other humanitarian organisations, has been forced to cut back or shut down critical aid programmes due to major reductions in US funding. The agency warns that these cuts will have severe consequences for migrants already facing life-threatening conditions.
Melissa Enoch
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