The International Organization for Migration (IOM) asked this Thursday, International Day of Migrants, to recognize the contribution of migrants to societies and economies, both in the countries where they seek better opportunities and in those where they left.
According to the most recent official figures, 304 million people, representing almost 4% of the world’s population, live outside their country of birth, a number that is constantly increasing as people move for work, security, education and family reunification.
“Today we pay tribute to the people who take the path in search of security and opportunity, and we call for global solidarity to build fair and inclusive systems that protect them. When migration is managed with dignity and purpose, it benefits everyone,” said IOM Director General, American Amy Pope.
However, the foundations of this organization’s work were shaken – as happened to the rest of the agencies and entities of the humanitarian ecosystem created around the United Nations – by the massive cuts to international aid, which threaten its ability to help the most vulnerable migrants and preserve their dignity.
Forced by a 30% cut in planned funding (mainly from the United States), the IOM began a savings plan in March that had a strong impact on migrant communities and prevented it from helping populations forced to move, whether due to armed conflicts, natural disasters or other reasons.
Available data indicates that more than 83 million people are displaced in a world where emergencies and crises are multiplying, which also reduces the capacity of host communities, which IOM also supports.
Specifically, it was decided to put an end to numerous projects, a measure that meant the disappearance of some 6,000 jobs linked to local organizations with which the IOM collaborates in the field, while reducing 20% ​​of its own workforce (more than 250 jobs).
Don’t miss: In seven months the entry of illegal immigrants has not been recorded: Trump
IOM registers more than 900,000 million dollars in migrant remittances
The current difficulties are also reflected in the request for funds that it has just presented to fulfill its mission in 2026, the year in which it plans to provide aid to 41 million migrants and displaced persons, a task for which it requires 4.7 billion dollars.
This plan represents a downward adjustment for the organization, which a year ago called for funds for $8.2 billion to reach 101 million beneficiaries, a plan that, due to President Donald Trump’s wave of cuts to international aid and cooperation, has not been able to be fulfilled.
Faced with this reality, priorities were reformulated and the two main ones are now saving lives and protecting people on the move; as well as offering solutions to displacement due to climate reasons (disasters or environmental degradation).
The IOM emphasizes that the majority of migratory movements are carried out safely and regularly, and that each journey is different, although if there is a common objective it is that they should always occur in safe conditions, which does not occur on irregular migration routes.
Of them, the Mediterranean route is one of the deadliest, with more than 33,000 deaths recorded since 2014, when a database that collects these cases began to operate.
In the migration panorama, it cannot be ignored that the income obtained by immigrants supports millions of families in the countries of origin.
In total, migrants sent $905 billion in international remittances in 2024, most of it destined for low- and middle-income countries, and where in many cases they exceed the volume of foreign aid and investment flows.
The head of the IOM decided to spend this day dedicated to migrants in Libya, where there is a very complex migration situation as it is a transit country for irregular migration from Africa to Europe.
Unfortunately, in this attempt thousands have fallen into the hands of human trafficking networks in more than a decade, they do not have legal status, they are exposed to serious abuse or they are detained in inhumane conditions, without a State capable of protecting them.
Since 2014, migrants missing or dead in the world number at least 73,000.
With information from EFE
Follow us on Google News to always stay informed
