A serious panorama is what the latest report from the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), suggesting that 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants in a decade. According to research, at least in 12 months 8,565 people They lost their lives on migration routes around the world.
By a statement that IOM He specified that the more than 8,000 deaths represent a “tragic increase of 20% compared to 2022”. Therefore, they emphasized the urgent need to take measures to prevent “a major loss of life.”
The Darien Gap is one of the most dangerous border crossings in the world. Photo: AFP
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Why has the number of deceased migrants increased?
According to the IOM, the number of migrants who have died has increased because their travel routes are unsafe, irregular and unrestricted, leaving hundreds of thousands in a vulnerable state.
One of the most dangerous areas is crossing the Mediterranean Seawhere at least 3,129 people lost their lives, while an unknown number disappeared in 2023.
On the other hand, the report also revealed that more than 50% of deaths were due to drowning, while 9% were due to vehicle accidents and another 7% were due to violence.
Every year millions of people leave their country in search of better opportunities. Photo: AFP
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Migrants who disappear forever
Another risk for migrants is enforced disappearance. The IOM project has documented more than 63,000 cases of people with unknown whereabouts since 2014. Unfortunately, this value would be much higher because data collection is complicated.
“As we mark 10 years of the Missing Migrants Project, let us first remember all of these lives lost. “Each of them is a terrible human tragedy that will impact families and communities for many years to come,” the IOM's deputy director general told AFP. Ugochi Daniels.
Daniels also stressed that the figures collected in the study are a reminder of the commitment to broader and better measures to support migrants to ensure safety and so that in 10 years no one will see their life in danger.
The clandestine journey through the Darién Gorge usually lasts 5 or 6 days and is at the mercy of all weather conditions. More than 390,000 migrants have crossed this jungle into Panama. Photo: AFP
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