International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Christopher Gascon, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, revealed that more than 60,000 deaths have occurred globally due to irregular migration between 2014 and 2023.
During the celebration of International Migrants Day, Gascon emphasized that the actual number of casualties resulting from irregular migration is likely underestimated. He stated that “from 2014 to the present, over 60,000 lives have been lost in irregular migration, with more than 22,000 lives lost on the Central Mediterranean route.”
Highlighting the perilous journey through the Sahara Desert, Gascon added the “the Sahara Desert represents inhospitable terrain where death often strikes, claiming more than 2,000 lives since 2014.”
Gascon further explained that since 2014, over 2,000 lives have been lost on the Atlantic routes, primarily due to shipwrecks. He stressed the urgent need for collective action against irregular migration, describing the statistics as a stark reminder of the necessity to enhance measures to protect the lives of those undertaking these hazardous journeys.
Speaking about the heartbreaking impact on families, Gascon emphasized the importance of strengthening efforts to safeguard the lives of those embarking on these perilous voyages. He underscored the commitment of the IOM to advocating for safe, orderly, and regular migration.
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