In 2023, there was a significant increase in migrant casualties, making it the deadliest year in recent history. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there were a total of 8,540 casualties, with 60 percent of them being fatalities. This alarming trend has continued into 2024, with the Middle Eastern corridor experiencing even higher numbers of casualties. As of January 1st, there have already been 956 deaths reported.

The IOM highlighted that one-third of these deaths occur when migrants attempt to escape armed conflict in their respective areas. Additionally, more than two-thirds of migrant deaths remain unregistered and cannot be identified. This lack of identification has led to communities and organizations advocating for their rights and demanding accountability from governments and employers. Shockingly, the latest data shows that 26,666 deaths during migration remain unidentified.

“It is devastating to know that over the past decade, more than 5,500 women and approximately 3,500 children have lost their lives during migration,” stated IOM Head, Michael Ugocchi. He emphasized that the actual number of casualties among women and children is much higher than officially reported since approximately 37,000 deaths among migrants do not have recorded gender or age information.

These staggering figures serve as a bleak reminder of the dangers faced by migrants and highlight the urgent need for global action to protect their rights and ensure their safety.