UN report: 2024 deadliest year on record for migrants worldwide

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 2024 was the deadliest year on record for migrants, with at least 8,938 deaths recorded along global migration routes.

The newly released figures continue a deadly trend of rising fatalities among migrants with 2024 being the fifth consecutive year, Caliber.Az reports citing the agency's website.

According to the UN-affiliated organization, deaths have more than doubled since 2020, yet the agency fears the real toll is likely much higher due to unreported cases.

Deputy Director General of the Geneva-based agency, Ugochi Daniel, has called the growing number of migrant deaths worldwide "unacceptable and preventable," urging that "the increase in deaths across so many regions in the world shows why we need an international, holistic response that can prevent further tragic loss of life.”   

Asia saw the highest number of recorded migrant deaths at 2,788, followed by the Mediterranean with 2,452, and Africa with 2,242. In the Americas, at least 1,233 migrants perished, including 341 in the Caribbean. Europe recorded 233 deaths, while 174 migrants died in the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama, a record high.

These grim statistics come as IOM announced the suspension of several humanitarian programs and layoffs of hundreds of employees due to US foreign aid cuts.

By Nazrin Sadigova