A new report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals that desperation, not choice, drives the majority of migrant deaths, with over 52,000 people losing their lives since 2014 while fleeing conflict, disasters, and insecurity.

The report, released today, shows that nearly 72% of recorded migrant deaths globally stem from crisis-affected regions, with 39,000 fatalities occurring within conflict zones and 13,500 during attempts to escape. The Central Mediterranean remains the deadliest migration route, claiming nearly 25,000 lives, while over 5,000 deaths were recorded in Afghanistan since 2021 and 3,100 among Rohingya migrants fleeing Myanmar.

“These numbers are a tragic reminder that people are forced to risk their lives when insecurity and lack of opportunity leave them no safe options,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope, urging investment in stability to make migration a choice, not a necessity.

The report notes that over half of migrant deaths since 2014 occurred in or near conflict or disaster zones, yet migrants are often excluded from humanitarian aid plans. Julia Black, coordinator of IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, highlighted that data gaps in war zones likely understate the true toll, with nearly one in four missing migrants hailing from crisis-affected countries.

IOM called for urgent global action, urging states and humanitarian partners to include migrants in crisis responses, expand legal migration pathways, improve access to aid and healthcare, and enhance data systems to better protect those at risk. (ILKHA)