The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released new data revealing a significant presence of unaccompanied minors in Morocco, rising numbers of migrants requesting voluntary return, and ongoing efforts to assist victims of human trafficking in the country.
The report, published by IOM’s Morocco office, documents the organization’s activities in 2024, showing increased support for migrants in vulnerable situations, particularly unaccompanied children, irregular migrants, and victims of trafficking.
Unaccompanied Children and Protection Efforts
The IOM identified 1,024 unaccompanied minors across the cities of Nador, Casablanca, and Marrakech, in partnership with local civil society organizations. Among them, 375 were Moroccan, while 649 were foreign nationalsfrom 26 countries—mostly from Guinea, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. The majority of these children, 93%, were between the ages of 13 and 17, and 704 were boys, compared to 320 girls.
The report underscores IOM’s efforts to provide legal, social, and educational support to these minors, including language classes, basic needs assistance, and mental health services.
Voluntary Return and Reintegration
In 2024, IOM facilitated the voluntary return of 2,196 migrants from Morocco to their countries of origin, spanning 32 nationalities. The largest group of returnees were from Côte d’Ivoire (523), followed by Senegal (453) and Guinea (410). Other returnees came from Mali, Gambia, Nigeria, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Cameroon, and the Philippines, among others.
The organization also supported 255 Moroccan nationals, mostly from Turkey, in returning home voluntarily. Smaller groups of Moroccans returned from the Netherlands (32), Germany, Greece, Belgium, Serbia, Egypt, and Oman, and even individual cases from Finland, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, and Switzerland.
Refugee Resettlement and Assistance
In collaboration with international partners, IOM helped 176 refugees resettle in the United States and 205 in Canada, with origins in countries such as Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Syria, Mali, Pakistan, Yemen, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Sudan.
The report also details the distribution of food and non-food humanitarian assistance to over 10,000 people, with 7% being unaccompanied minors. An estimated 86,000 individuals received medical care, 2,492 received mental health support, and 436 people were provided legal aid.
Rise in Demand for Services
Compared to 2023, the total number of beneficiaries increased by 21%, with a 60% rise in access to health services. Many of the new beneficiaries were placed in long-term health and social support systems, especially unaccompanied children and those separated from their families.
The IOM also expanded its community integration efforts, with cultural and sports activities benefiting vulnerable populations. Participation in such programs grew by more than 200 times compared to the previous year.
Combating Human Trafficking
In collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Justice and other institutions, the IOM assisted 40 victims of human trafficking in 2024, including 32 women and 8 men. Among them were 10 Moroccan nationals who had been trafficked to Oman, Turkey, and Thailand. Additional victims from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon were also identified.
Of the victims, 27 chose to remain in Morocco, where they received emergency humanitarian assistance, medical care, and psychological support.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.