In a stark reminder of the perils faced by those seeking a better future, a recent UN report reveals that over 72,000 migrants have lost their lives or disappeared along global migration routes since 2014. This staggering toll highlights the extreme risks taken by individuals fleeing conflict, disaster, and instability in their home countries.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), last year recorded the highest death toll on record with at least 8,938 lives lost. Nearly three-quarters of these tragic outcomes occurred as people escaped crises in volatile regions—from conflict zones like Afghanistan and Syria to areas hit hard by humanitarian emergencies.
The Central Mediterranean remains the deadliest route, where nearly 25,000 lives were lost at sea in the past decade, many after departing from war-torn Libya. Harsh crossings in the Sahara Desert and dangerous journeys from crisis-ravaged Afghanistan, where over 5,000 migrants perished, further underline the desperation driving these risks.
Expert voices from IOM emphasize that data gaps in war zones and disaster areas mean the true toll could be even higher. IOM chief Amy Pope warned, "These numbers are a tragic reminder that people risk their lives when insecurity and lack of opportunity leave them with no safe alternatives." She urged global investment in community stability so that migration becomes a choice rather than a necessity, and when leaving home is the only option, safe, legal pathways must be secured to protect lives. 😢
This urgent report calls on global communities, policymakers, and humanitarian organizations to work together to tackle the root causes of forced migration and enhance safety on these perilous routes. In today’s interconnected world, every life matters, and coordinated compassion can help pave the way for safer futures.
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UN says over 72,000 migrants dead, disappeared globally since 2014
cgtn.com
