Being indebted is common for migrants and may lead to involuntary re-migration. An IOM study finds that regardless of country of origin or gender, the majority (72 per cent) of returnees surveyed reported having borrowed money, with 92 per cent of them still having to repay all or some of that debt. Returnees often reported stress, stigma, and shame because of indebtedness. A reduction in the costs of migration could lead to better, more sustainable reintegration outcomes. 

IOM brings us the story of the many migrants caught between uncertainty and hope, who continue to risk their lives in the Darien Gap, an infamously perilous trek, seeking to reach North America.

With the onset of the cold weather, people in Ukraine would not leave their land and started preparing for the worst – IOM teams supported 109 families in the Kyiv Region with renovation works.

Due to his complicated upbringing, Ievhen has never been able to get a passport or access many of his rights: to have an education, get a decent job, officially marry his partner Marharyta, open a bank account, or receive state benefits – which he should now be entitled to as an internally displaced person. He reached out to IOM’s partner NGO Caritas who referred the family to IOM’s tailored protection services. Legal identity is central to enabling regular migration and to protecting the rights of migrants throughout their migration journeys.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, nearly 8 million people have fled to neighbouring countries. Poland has received close to 1.5 million people. When Tatiana first arrived in Poland she had significant culture shock; she felt stressed and overwhelmed by the many changes in her life. Tatiana soon realized that she needed to find a job to support her family, but she wanted to do something that she was good at and passionate about. A special IOM initiative in Poland would give Tatiana the chance to meet some amazing women to support her through the difficult period she was enduring.

When the war broke out in Ukraine, it seemed that Kyiv's Circus Academy was in danger. Renowned Hungarian circus manager, artist, and juggler, Kristian Kristof, immediately stepped in to get the students out of danger and help them continue their training. IOM actively supports the Capital Circus of Budapest in its pursuit to assist those who have fled Ukraine. The Organization covers the group’s accommodation needs, support for elementary and high school education, outdoor and indoor training activities, and offers ad-hoc support for medical assistance and food vouchers.

Every year, people around the world face the devastating impacts of conflicts, diseases, disasters, and climate change that force them to migrate. At the end of 2021, a staggering 59.1 million people were internally displaced. Migrants have proven to be a source of prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development to countries of origin, transit, and host countries. On this International Migrants Day (18th December), IOM reaffirms its commitment to promoting a humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including the communities of origin, transit, and destination. 

“This drought is not slowing down anytime soon, but we must carry on living. The water we receive has saved my life, my children and grandchildren’s lives. I cannot afford to lose them too,” Tume says. Her country, Ethiopia, is in the grip of a devastating drought – the severest the country has seen in almost 40 years. This year, the IOM started providing water trucking support to provide a lifeline for IDPs. IOM trucks 40,000 litres of water, as well as water and sanitation equipment, each day to Dubuluk IDP site, which serves an estimated 5,300 people.

Over the last decade, reports of labour exploitation of migrants and even forced labour have been widespread. After a complaint in2014, following a period of intense negotiations, the State of Qatar and the ILO launched a programme to support major labour reforms.

The boat departs on Sunday and Thursday evenings and arrives on the shores of Yemen by dawn. Smugglers count the migrants – a standard practice to ensure that only those who have paid get onboard. The country’s instability, coupled with a historically brutal drought and other effects of climate change, is deepening irregular migration through and from the Horn of Africa, forcing thousands of vulnerable people to attempt risky journeys. IOM works with partners and governments to assist and protect vulnerable migrants from Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti moving to and from Yemen. 

Farhia lived in Baidoa's informal settlements for nine months when her six-month-old son became ill. IOM connected her with Baidoa Hospital, where he was treated him for a respiratory infection.

Climate action is urgent. Without early and concerted climate and development action, over 216 million people could become internal climate migrants by 2050. The human mobility implications of the climate crisis are profound. We must act urgently, involving the whole society. We must strengthen people’s resilience and move from negotiation to implementation. At COP27, we must deliver for humanity, for its dignity and for future generations. At COP27, we must leave no one behind. Find out more about IOM’s work to help climate migrants.

IOM brings us the story of Ana Marvez, who found a home in Chile, after finding the Music Foundation for Integration, a group composed mostly of musician refugees and migrants from Venezuela.

An estimated 6,645,000 people remained internally displaced in Ukraine as of 23 July, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). More than 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs), found shelter in this western Ukraine high school. In the early days of the Russian invasion, many communal facilities, such as schools, kindergartens, dormitories and religious buildings, were rapidly turned into centres for those fleeing the war. Not designed to serve as accommodations, they were meant to provide only temporary shelter to displaced Ukrainians. Six months later, however, people are still living there, often sharing one open space with little privacy. IOM is addressing the urgent needs of IDPs by providing the facility with basic household items.

Bordering Algeria, Libya, Mali, and Chad, the Agadez region is characterized by a strong mix of different cultural groups. Together, local and regional authorities and community leaders seize this opportunity to promote social cohesion between the different communities.