Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean: IOM Response Plan - June 2015
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Addressing Complex Migration
Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM)
Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM)
June 2015
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan
June 2015
Since the tragic drowning of more than 300 migrants off territory entered legally but then overstay irregularly,
the coast of Lampedusa in October 2013, the situation many of them being employed informally.
in the Mediterranean has remained dire. Compared to IOM’s partnerships with UN agencies, such as
the same period in 2014, loss of life has quadrupled to UNHCR, UNICEF, OHCHR, UNODC, the EU
over 1865 migrant deaths during the first half of 2015. institutions and EU agencies such as the European
Migration has increasingly become a strategic priority Asylum Support Office, Frontex, the Fundamental
for the European Union (EU) in this period. The policy Rights Agency, and the European Centre for Disease
response has included the establishment of the Task Prevention and Control, as well as the African Union
Force Mediterranean, Statements of the European and other relevant partners will be essential in this
Council,1 Resolution of the European Parliament2 as effort to uphold the human rights of migrants, address
well as the European Commission’s recent presentation irregular migration and prevent its most perilous
of a European Agenda on Migration.3 IOM welcomes manifestations.
these developments as initial steps towards a holistic
The response, therefore, has to include migration
European approach on migration; however, deeper and
governance, development and law enforcement
longer term engagement is needed by the EU as well as
actions, with shared responsibilities between
its international, regional and national partners.
countries of origin, transit and destination. A crisis-
The drivers of irregular migration in the Mediterranean driven response that focuses solely on immediate
region include social, economic and demographic humanitarian and security needs without addressing
inequalities, instability and conflict, environmental the underlying drivers of irregular migration and the
degradation exacerbated by climate change, rights necessary structural changes would not be sustainable
abuses, weak governance and failed migration and or effective. The aim must be to make migration work
asylum systems compounded by limited regular for human development at both origin and destination
migration channels and restrictive policies. The nature ends and promote alternatives for those who face life-
of the migration flows is similarly mixed, including threatening journeys and lack of prospects in regions
economic migrants, vulnerable migrants and persons of origin.
in need of international protection whose journeys
The present response plan outlines the priorities of
are organized by exploitative migrant smuggling
IOM offices along the migration routes in Europe,
and human trafficking networks on both sides of the
North Africa, West Africa, and the Horn of Africa
Mediterranean. Addressing the challenges of irregular
and attempts to provide an illustration of the key
entry is crucial to uphold the integrity of EU migration
migration dynamics facing these regions. Four key
and border policies in full respect of human rights, and
objectives provide the framework for IOM’s priorities
to disrupt the business model of migrant smugglers.
and coordinated action: (1) protecting migrants’ basic
At the same time, it is relevant to acknowledge that
rights; (2) addressing drivers of irregular migration;
a significant share of irregular migrants on the EU
(3) promoting safe, orderly and dignified human
1 Most importantly, the Statement of the EU Council on 23rd of mobility; and (4) developing partnerships for growth
April 2015. and competitiveness. The operationalization of the
2 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.
do?lang=en&reference=2015/2660(RSP).
response plan will be elaborated by each Mission
3 European Agenda on Migration , released on 13th of May 2015 according to the needs based on IOM’s modus operandi.
and Agenda brings together the different steps the European
Union should take now, and in the coming years, to build up a
coherent and comprehensive approach to reap the benefits and
address the challenges deriving from migration.
2 Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan1. Protecting migrants’ basic rights vulnerable migrants; counselling; facilitation of contact
with families, consular offices and referral services,
Objective: To reduce deaths and human suffering according to, and based on, needs. Support would be
during and as a result of migration and protect the tailored to address particular vulnerabilities, such as
human rights of migrants.
those of unaccompanied migrant children, migrants
vulnerable to trafficking and abuse, migrants with
A robust and effective EU response in Search and
health and psychosocial-related needs, as well as
Rescue (SAR) operations at sea is crucial to address
persons in need of international refugee protection, in
the humanitarian plight of tens of thousands of migrants
making dangerous voyages in perilous circumstances. partnership with national authorities and UNHCR.
IOM supports regional cooperation as well as In addition, MRRM will provide information and
multilateral approaches to SAR and stands ready to awareness-raising on the risks of irregular migration
contribute to national, regional and multilateral efforts (including trafficking in persons), the available channels
to strengthen SAR. IOM advocates for similar efforts for legal migration, as well as rights and obligations of
to provide land-based search and rescue services to both States and migrants. Finally, MRRM propose to
lost, missing and injured migrants along the migration support the identification and access to alternatives to
routes, especially in deserts. IOM can support these high risk irregular migration and longer term solutions
efforts and strengthen coordination through collecting including legal migration or Assisted Voluntary Return
and analysing data on migrants and mapping of migrant and Reintegration (AVRR) to countries of origin. To
routes. ensure a sustainable and far reaching impact, IOM
The dangerous and often fatal crossing of the believes that MRRM should be embedded within a
Mediterranean is just one of the many risks migrants broad migration governance approach that seeks
face along their journey. Along the migratory route, to foster community development opportunities and
migrants cross deserts, are often detained in deplorable alternatives to irregular migration within transit
conditions, may face xenophobia, and are subjected countries and countries of origin.
to violence and abuse by migrant smugglers or human
AVRR in transit countries is another key part of the
traffickers. In view of the high numbers of persons
rights-based response to irregular migration, providing
travelling through countries such as Niger and Libya
needed assistance to the affected countries as well
to Europe, it is imperative to provide assistance and
protection to migrants in transit countries. as stranded migrants who are in distress and often
destitute and express willingness to return home.
In order to support government efforts to respond
AVRR also allows taking into account and addressing
effectively to complex migration flows and strengthen
the specific needs of vulnerable migrants, such as
protection measures, IOM proposes to explore the
Unaccompanied Migrant Children (UMC), Victims
establishment of Migrant Resource and Response
of Trafficking or migrants with health conditions. A
Mechanisms (MRRM4) with key partners in strategic
comprehensive approach to return and reintegration is
locations along the migratory routes. MRRM aim to
provide operational support to government authorities required, including partnerships and capacity-building
to address complex migratory flows, facilitate the among countries of destination, transit and origin, in
identification and registration of migrants, and support order to make AVRR not simply a tool to respond to
data collection to feed into evidence-based policy and irregular migration, but a mechanism embedded within
programming (while respecting national and IOM Data national and regional migration governance frameworks
Protection Principles). MRRM also seek to provide that could meaningfully foster community stability and
direct assistance and support services such as: urgent local development.
health care; food; non-food items such as hygiene kits;
psychological support; temporary shelter for the most
4 The Migrant Resource and Response Mechanism is based on
IOM’s extensive experience in supporting Migrant Resource
Centres (see more detailed explanation on page 4) in at least 10
different countries in recent years only.
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan 32. Addressing drivers of irregular are needed in areas prone to economically-induced
irregular migration. Similarly, efforts aimed at disaster
migration risk reduction and building community resilience are
Objective: To reduce negative factors inducing required to reduce other negative migration drivers,
irregular migration and enable a true choice such as conflict, environmental degradation, violence,
between migrating safely and not migrating. and other man-made and natural disasters.
As a basis for policies addressing the drivers of irregular
migration, further research and data initiatives are 3. Promoting safe, orderly and
essential to gather quantitative and qualitative data dignified human mobility
on migrants’ and other vulnerable mobile populations’
profiles, needs, expectations, vulnerabilities and Objective: To create the conditions for migration to
intentions. IOM is committed to continuing to publish take place in safe, orderly and dignified ways.
an annual report on migrant fatalities,5 and will extend
IOM advocates for greater access to safe, regular
its research and data collection to include preparation
migration and mobility options. This includes
of a Global Report on Human Smuggling. In addition
promoting the establishment of humanitarian avenues
to data on volumes and routes, and complementary
that can include alternatives to dangerous movements
to EU intelligence gathering efforts, more detailed
by land and sea and providing clear and accurate
analysis of human mobility and vulnerabilities could
information about the risks of irregular migration.
consider motivations for certain routes, such as, for
example, the importance of diaspora networks and While the European Agenda and the Europe 2020
family reunification along specific corridors. IOM also Strategy highlight the importance of legal migration
seeks to extend its displacement tracking methodology, and mobility for future competitiveness, few new
to capture, process and disseminate information concrete proposals are put forward by the EU in this
to provide a better understanding of migratory area. In addition to the plans to increase resettlement
movements, origins, intentions and evolving needs, and other forms of admission, regular economic
whether at fixed locations or along transit routes. IOM migration channels at all skill levels should be developed
has recently commissioned several pieces of research to respond to labour market realities and provide
on migration flows across the Mediterranean as well alternatives to irregular migration. Such opportunities
as established an inter-agency task force and data and should also be accompanied by support to migrant
information sharing platform on mixed migration in skill development, including cultural orientation and
North Africa (called the Migration Hub - MHub6) and language competences; and partnerships with third
is planning to partner with the International Maritime countries on improving the educational systems and
Organization (IMO) and UNODC in helping to make comparability of educational outcomes; better job-
IMO’s Database on Maritime Incidents a more useful matching domestically and internationally; enhancing
tool for member states to collect and share data about the integrity of international recruitment chains (i.e.
migrant smuggling incident at sea. IOM initiative of International Recruitment Integrity
System - IRIS); and developing government capacity
Without investing in large-scale stability and
in labour migration management, including enhanced
development programmes, individual and community-
intra and interregional labour mobility. Information
level assistance for returning migrants, as well as genuine
and referral services should also be delivered to
regular migration opportunities in origin countries,
potential and travel-ready migrants in cooperation with
smuggling will continue to thrive and thousands of lives
employment services and other actors through Migrant
will continue to be lost. In addition initiatives aimed at
Resource Centres,7 hotlines and/or online platforms.
improving economic opportunities, social (including
health) services, and community infrastructure 7 Over the last 10 years, governments, NGOs, social partners
and IO‘s, such as IOM and ILO, have established Migrant
5 Fatal Journeys – 2014 – comparison of irregular migration Resource Centres (MRCs) and other similar facilities in both
trends and migrant fatalities between regions. http:// origin and destination countries: Albania, Australia, Colombia,
publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/FatalJourneys_ Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Tajikistan,
CountingtheUncounted.pdf. Philippines, Slovakia. The name Migrant Resource Centre is
6 MHub: http://www.mixedmigrationhub.org/. commonly used to indicate similar structires such as “Migrant
4 Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response PlanTo ensure safe, dignified and orderly movement of
migrants across borders, further efforts are also needed
4. Developing partnerships for
growth and competitiveness
to build national capacities and support cross-border
cooperation to respond to the needs of vulnerable Objective: To create the structural conditions and
migrants and persons in need of international protection make systemic changes to enable positive outcomes of
migration for all involved, recognizing that migration
in the context of identity and border management.
will continue, cannot and should not be stopped, and
IOM promotes the concept of Humanitarian Border is essential for growth and development on both sides
Management, which aims at protecting crisis-affected of the Mediterranean, in view of economic, labour
migrants and guarantees their human rights while market and demographic realities.
respecting national sovereignty and security. This
includes strengthening (cross border) referral systems IOM calls for fair and balanced cooperation through
to ensure continuity of health care, including by establishing or reinforcing policy and operational
developing standard operating procedures (SOP), platforms, which can build on existing regional/
interregional consultative processes. A comprehensive
strengthening policies, technical knowledge and
range of concrete policies and actions to improve
capacity of border officials and health professionals in migration governance must be taken jointly by
countries of transit and destination to assist migrants stakeholders in countries of origin, transit and
with needs. Further efforts are also needed to improve destination. Based on IOM’s constitutional mandate,
coordinated civil registry data management and access IOM offers its capacity to facilitate dialogue and
to documentation for migrants at all steps of the journey. cooperation between countries of origin, transit
and destination with a view to finding practical and
International cooperation and national actions to mutually acceptable solutions.
address smuggling of migrants and trafficking in
Complementing efforts to enhance regional and intra-
human beings must also be stepped up. It is important
regional dialogue, increased efforts are needed now to
to gather intelligence and data on migrant smuggling build confidence between national partners and strike
operations to ensure that they are disrupted at the the right balance between law enforcement measures,
earliest opportunity. IOM is currently developing a ensuring protection and assistance, and responding
global counter-smuggling action plan, which aims to the drivers of irregular migration. Essential to
to: (i) help migrants in distress; (ii) facilitate more achieving this goal is a shift in public and political
avenues for safe and regular migration; (iii) promote discourse on migration, recognizing that migration
is a process to be managed and not a problem to be
development for better options, more meaningful choice
solved. IOM’s increasing and extensive advocacy has
and to reduce the factors that lead migrants to seek out
contributed to valuable information and analysis
smugglers; and, (iv) assist in building capacity of law which has helped to inform policy responses and
enforcement structures and policymakers to address contributed to communicating better on migration.
people smuggling with a focus disrupting the activities Several intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation
of criminals and decriminalizing migrants. mechanisms8 have highlighted the substantial human
and societal development benefits of migration, for
Finally, for those migrants that do not have the right migrants, their families and communities in countries
to stay on the territory of the country of destination, of origin, transit and destination when migration takes
assisted voluntary return and reintegration must also places through safe and legal means. The post-2015
be recognized as the preferred option for returns to be UN development agenda is poised to recognize the
humane, dignified and sustainable. positive links between migration and development,
and focus attention on the need to “facilitate orderly,
safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of
people, including through implementation of planned
and well-managed migration policies.”9
information centres“, “Migrant workers centres“ and others.
MRC function as a one stop shop with a range of services 8 The Global Forum on Migration and Development, UN High-
adapted to local conditions and information requirements. Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development,
Globally, MRCs are recognized as having a key role to play in IOM’s International Dialogue on Migration, Regional
the empowerment and protection of migrants, the importance Economic Commissions and other.
of which was highlighted at the Global Forum on Migration 9 Section 10.7 of the report of the Open Working Group on
and Development in 2007 and 2008. Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan 56
IOM
Mediterranean Migration Routes 2015
• OIM
Trieste
Venice Bucharest
Sète Marseille Giurgiu
Ancona Sofia
Svilengrad
IOM Response Plan
Petrich
Bari Istanbul
Majorca Mahon Brindisi Murefte
Turkey Agri
Ibiza Igoumenitsa Ayvalik Van Salmas
Tunis Izmir and Cesme Hakkari Urmia
Malaga Almeria Sicily Patras Athens Mersi Ufra Semdinli
Algeciras Silopi
Tangiers Ceuta Algiers Malta Arbil Tehran
Asilah Melilla Lampedusa Syrian Arab
Rabat Homs ITALY
Oujda Maghnia Republic Iran
Casablanca Beirut
Zuwaran Damascus Baghdad
Morocco Tripoli Zliten GREECE
Fuerteventura Ghardaia Benghazi Alexandria Amman Iraq
Agadir Ouargla
Jordan 57,252
Gran Canaria Tan-Tan Cairo SPAIN arrivals
Algeria Ghädamis Ajdabiya 1,217
Aqaba arrivals
Tenerife Tarfaya Adrar
Libya Egypt MALTA
Lemsia El Aiun Illizi Sebha
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
Bojador Saudi Arabia 92 51,919
Al Jawf / Aswan arrivals arrivals
Djanet
Al Kuffra
Tamanrasset
Mauritania
Nouadhibou Selima
Niger Port Sudan
Tessalit
Dirkou Dongola
Mali Arlit Jizan
Nouakchott Bilma Altbara Arrivals are estimates
Agadez Kassala as of 15/6/15.
Gao Khartoum Asmara Yemen
Saint Louis
Dakar Senegal Niamey Zinder Al Qadarif
Sudan
Bissau Bamako Kano
Ouagadougou Djibouti Bossasso Air migration routes
Conakry Land migration routes
Addis Ababa Harar Burao
Côte Ghana Nigeria South Maritime migration routes
Freetown
d’Ivoire Porto-Novo Sudan Ethiopia
Lagos
Monrovia Accra Central Mediterranean route
Juba East Africa route
Abidjan Somalia
East Mediterranean route
West Africa route
Mogadishu
Kenya West Mediterranean route
Kampala
Migration flows
Nairobi
Compiled jointly by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Migration Research Division (MRD) and Media and Communications (MCD) from various sources.
Arrival numbers are minimum estimates based on data from respective governments. Data for Spain, not confirmed by government. Names and boundaries indicated on map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by IOM. 12/06/15. iom.intEurope: Regional overview Routes
Flows While a lot of focus has been on the Central
Mediterranean Route, arrivals by sea to Greece in just
According to IOM’s data collection from January
the first five months of 2015 have already eclipsed the
2015–11 June 2015, 1,865 migrants died crossing the total number for 2014 (roughly 52,000 in 2015 compared
Mediterranean Sea, the majority of whom are sub- with 34,400 in 2014) as such Greece is so far the most
Saharan Africans, marking a dramatic increase over the seriously affected country. In 2014, maritime arrivals to
437 migrant deaths recorded in the first six months of Greece were just about 20 per cent the size of arrivals to
2014. As of the mid June 2015, more than 110,000 persons Italy (170,100). At the time of writing, however, arrivals
have reached Europe’s shores irregularly by sea ahead to Greece are only about 5,000 shy of the numbers
of levels reached at this time in 2014, notably due to a being received in Italy. From Lebanon and Jordan to
sharp increase on the Eastern Mediterranean route10. Turkey and onward by boat to Greece, this path is
In Italy, 57,25211 migrants arrived by sea in 2015, a predominantly used by Syrians. Afghans make up the
slight increase in comparison to the same period of last second largest group of arrivals. Together, Syrians and
year. The main nationalities of migrants transiting the Afghans made up about 80 per cent of arrivals in the
Central Mediterranean route12 include nationals from first four months of the year, and comprised 86 per cent
Eritrea, Somalia, Nigeria, Syrian Arab Republic, the of maritime arrivals in 2014. Other nationalities are far
Gambia, Senegal and Mali.13 Most are men; however, less significant, and include Pakistanis, Somalis, and
Iraqis in 2015. Of note as well, there has been a surge in
there are also increasingly significant numbers of
arrivals from Pakistan.
women and children, including unaccompanied
minors. In 2014, Syrians and Eritreans made up 45 per The Western Balkans is another key transit route
cent of irregular maritime arrivals to Italy, with Syrians into the EU where a significant growth in mixed
predominating. West African countries featured in the migration flows is currently observed. In 2014 a sharp
top five countries of origin although in lower numbers increase in detection of migrants of Syrian (+363%)
as arrivals of Malians, Nigerians and Gambians together and Afghan nationality (+168%) has been observed15.
still made up less than half the number of Syrian and Pakistan, Mali, Algeria, and Somalia also constitute key
Eritrean arrivals. In 2015, there has been a large decrease countries of origin for transit mixed migration flows
in numbers of Syrians arriving in Italy as routes are through the region. In 2015, this trend has continued,
shifting in response to the situation in Libya and related with increasing migrants transiting through Greece
developments. The Syrian Arab Republic was only the and the Western Balkans region to reach the EU. Most
fourth top country of origin, and numbers of Syrians recently, an increased number of migrants from Africa
were just one third the number of Eritrean arrivals enter the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
through Greece, from where they continue through the
(3,185 versus 10,985).14 Eritreans are by far the largest
Western Balkan region. Migrants transiting through
share of arrivals – comprising 23 per cent of all arrivals
the region are at risk of exploitation, threats and abuse
so far in 2015. While West African countries feature
from smugglers, traffickers and criminal networks
higher on the list of arrivals, this is more a reflection of
during their transit through the Western Balkans.
the decrease in Syrians than it is of an increase in West
Africans. Furthermore, Turkey with the length of sea borders of
about 6,530 km plays a key role as a transit country
10 Eastern Mediterranean route refers to the migratory flow for the migrants heading towards the EU. The dramatic
through Turkey to the European Union via Greece, southern
Bulgaria or Cyprus. increase in apprehensions of migrants on the sea by the
11 As of 15 June 2015. Turkish Coast Guard is nearly 422 per cent comparing
12 Central Mediterranean route refers to the migratory flow
coming from Northern Africa towards Italy and Malta through
analogical period of 2014 and 2015 (with 10,131
the Mediterranean Sea. apprehensions between 1 January and 31 May 2015)
13 All numbers are minimum estimates. Arrivals estimates are with 82 per cent of those apprehensions taking place
based on data from respective governments and IOM offices.
This does not include deaths occurring during the journey on the Mediterranean Sea. The top five nationalities
prior to embarkation, such as in the Sahara Desert. Data: 1
January – 30 April 2015. 15 Western Balkans, Annual Risk Analysis 2015. Frontex, 12 May
14 January – 31 May 2015. 2015.
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan 7are from the Syrian Arab Republic (62%), Afghanistan other legal avenues for persons in need of international
(16%), Myanmar (8%), Erıtrea (5%) and the Republic protection (private/non-governmental sponsorships,
of Congo (3%). Enhanced surveillance along the land humanitarian permits and family reunification) should
borders of the Eastern Mediterranean route with be envisaged as well. It will be essential that these efforts
Turkey has further resulted in displacement on the are complemented by commitments to strengthening
Eastern Aegean Sea. available integration measures. IOM is ready to support
The lure of improved living and working conditions resettlement and other forms of humanitarian admission,
as well as the inconsistent application of border in close partnership with UNHCR and resettlement
management procedures for irregular sea arrivals in States. Furthermore, new approaches to labour
Europe are pull factors, yet there are also significant migration need to be envisaged taking into account
drivers in countries of origin that propel migrants cross-border mobility, promoting more inclusive
and persons in need of international protection to employment and increasing productivity and labour
undertake perilous journeys. The ongoing conflict market participation among all groups of working
in the Syrian Arab Republic, instability in Libya and age population, and strengthening the contribution of
elsewhere, poverty, violations of rights, environmental migration to growth and competitiveness.
degradation, lack of access to basic services in several At the moment, IOM has not witnessed yet a substantial
countries are only some of the factors that drive and direct link between the mixed migration flows in
individuals to migrate irregularly under dangerous the Mediterranean and an increase in uptake of Assisted
conditions, including using the services of smugglers. Voluntary Return and Reintegration assistance in
the Mediterranean countries. This is partially resulting
Policy Processes from the percentage of persons in need of international
protection arriving within those mixed flows as well as
IOM welcomes the renewed focus on life saving within
suspension of return decision for specific countries, i.e.
the European Agenda for Migration. The increase in
the Syrian Arab Republic. However gaps in information
EU funding for Operations Triton and Poseidon in 2015
provision on services available for migrants (legal,
and 2016 allows for a reinforcement of capabilities and
health) and possibilities of return as well as pressure on
the expansion of operations combined with search and
reception centres and conditions are encountered in the
rescue (SAR). The proposed EU military operation16
EU Member States in the Mediterranean.
- EUNAVFOR Med that aims to identify and seize or
destroy the vessels used by smugglers and traffickers In terms of partnerships and cooperation in the region,
constitutes a new and not yet tested approach to IOM and UNHCR have established Standard Operating
combating migrant smuggling. IOM is extremely Procedures to address needs at arrival through measures
concerned about any step towards the militarization such as the Praesidium Project in Italy, and the IOM/
of migration governance and urges that impacts are UNHCR Framework for the Identification and
carefully analyzed to ensure that the protection of Protection of Victims of Trafficking, and work together
vulnerable smuggled migrants, refugees and asylum- with governmental and civil society actors in the region
seekers is not compromized. to help ensure each individual migrant and persons in
need of international protection receives the assistance
IOM advocates for better access to safe, regular
and protection to which he or she is entitled. IOM
migration and mobility options. This includes
and UNHCR have also coordinated the development
promoting the establishment of legal avenues that can
of a Regional Action Plan for the Western Balkans,
include alternatives to dangerous movements by land
which aims to assist Governments in the region in
and sea and providing clear and accurate information
developing and operationalizing a comprehensive
about the risks of irregular migration. An EU-wide
pilot offering a quota of 20,000 resettlement places migration and asylum management system at the
is a first step in enhancing refugee resettlement to national and multilateral level. However, further
the EU Member States and should become a binding support is required to enhance national response and
and mandatory approach beyond 2016 including an regional cooperation within each country and at the
incremental increase in places. Moreover greater use of borders of the Western Balkans region with the EU, as
well to facilitate coordination and effective horizontal
16 EU action plan against migrant smuggling (2015–2020). implementation mechanisms. IOM Turkey is also
8 Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response PlanM
Mediterranean Migrat
IOM presence in selected EU Mediterranean countries
Trieste
Venice Bucharest
Sète Marseille Giurgiu
Ancona Sofia
Svilengrad
Petrich
Bari Istanbul
Majorca Mahon Murefte
Brindisi Turkey Agri
Ibiza Igoumenitsa Ayvalik Van
Tunis Izmir and Cesme Hakkari
Malaga Almeria Sicily Patras Athens Mersi Ufra
Algeciras Syrian ArabSilopi
Tangiers Ceuta Algiers Malta Republic
Asilah Melilla Lampedusa
Rabat Homs
Oujda Maghnia
Casablanca Beirut
Zuwaran Damascus Ba
Morocco Tripoli Zliten Alexandria
entura Ghardaia Benghazi Amman Ira
Agadir Ouargla
Jordan
aria Tan-Tan Cairo
Algeria Ghädamis Ajdabiya
Aqaba
Tarfaya Adrar
cooperating with the Turkish Coast guards through Under the Libya coordination of the Regional Office
El Aiun Sebha Egypt
Illizi
the management of a government-owned 157 Helpline in Brussels and the coordinating office for the
or Saudi
for rescue at sea since July 2014. Efforts have been Mediterranean
Al Jawf / in Rome, IOM Country Offices in the
Aswan
Djanet
stepped up to manage the increasing mixed migration Al Kuffra have identified the following operational
Mediterranean
flows Tamanrasset
with a recent initiative on the “Implementation priorities for intervention:
Mauritania
of the Strategy Document and National Action Plan on
Nouadhibou Selima
Niger
Irregular Migration with a Focus on Mixed Migration
Tessalit
Dirkou
a.
Protecting migrants’
Dongola
basic Port Sudan
rights
Flows” aimed atMali strengthening the institutional
Arlit Jiz
Nouakchott Bilma• Support regional cooperation asAltbara
well as multilateral
capacities of the relevant governmental stakeholders,
Agadez approaches to SAR and contribute to Kassala
national,
enhancing cooperation andGao coordination at national Khartoum
Saint Louis regional and multilateral efforts to strengthen SAR.Asmara
and
akar Senegal regional levels as well as ensuring the protection of
Niamey Zinder • Provide direct assistance and Al Qadarif
legal counselling to
vulnerable migrants entering irregularly and travelling Sudan
in mixed migration flows at land and sea borders.Kano mixed flows arriving by sea and land including early
Bissau Bamako
Ouagadougou identification and referral of vulnerable migrants Djibouti
IOM in the Mediterranean Countries in Europe17
Conakry (victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, those
Addisand
with medical needs) to local authorities Ababa
relevant Hara
Country Côte
Offices GhanaLocations Nigeria
Staff
Freetown d’Ivoire South
civil society actors and institutions. Eth
Cyprus 1 Porto-Novo
Nicosia Lagos 1 Sudan
MonroviaGreece 8 Accra
Athens, Lesvos, Samos, 70 • Develop and disseminate information on services
Abidjan Thessaloniki, Patras, available to migrants (e.g. health, Juba psychosocial
Ioannina, Orestiada , Crete support, legal, shelter, education), migrant
rights, legal migration and mobility channels and Mogad
Italy 4 Rome, Sicily/Lampedusa, 48 Uganda Kenya
alternatives to irregular migration, including through
Apulia, Calabria Kampala
Migrant Resource Centres.18
Malta 1 Floriana 8
Spain 1 Madrid 15 • Support reception capacities and monitor detention
Nairobi
Total 142 conditions and border crossing points and possible
18 In recent years, Governments, NGOs, social partners and IO‘s,
such asand
the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Migration Research Division (MRD) IOMMedia
and ILO,
andhave established Migrant
Communications Resource
(MCD) from various source
Centres (MRCs) and other similar facilities in both origin
e minimum estimates based on data from respective governments. Data for Spain, not confirmed by government. Names and boundaries indicated
17 The person in Samos is covering also Chios, Ko and Rhodes. and destination countries. Globally, MRCs are recognized as
Sub-offices in Italy present roving teams with no fixed having a key role to play in the empowerment and protection
locations: 5 persons in Sicily, 1 person in Lampedusa, 3 in of migrants, the importance of which was highlighted at the
Apulia and 1 in Calabria. Global Forum on Migration and Development in 2007 and 2008.
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan 9development of related Standard Operating • Enhance development and community stabilization
Procedures. role of migrants by supporting their investment plans
in job-generating enterprises; diasporas’ networks,
• Prepare and update contingency plans with national
transnational social ties and financial capital.
authorities and other relevant actors in order to
respond to significant increases in arrivals.
c. Promoting safe, orderly and
• Strengthen the capacity though training and
dignified human mobility
technical assistance:
• Support assisted voluntary return and
1. Staff at reception centres providing social and
reintegration measures for irregular migrants as
specialized services for migrants and persons in well as vulnerable groups and failed asylum-seekers
need of international protection by improving with a view to their sustainable reintegration in their
referral mechanisms between different providers, country of origin through strengthening community
psychosocial assistance, identification of victims development and community stabilization
of trafficking and family reunification, including approaches.
family tracing, provided to vulnerable migrants.
• Cooperate with the EU Member States, UNHCR and
2. Health professionals to provide migrant sensitive relevant civil society and local community partners
health services, including cultural competency in in developing and enhancing refugee resettlement
order to improve their understanding of rights of schemes including safe travel and pre-departure
migrants to access health and other services, and preparation and training, to promote better social
cultural barriers that could prevent access. and economic integration.
• Support EU member states to make full use of
b. Addressing drivers of irregular other legal avenues available for persons in need of
international protection including humanitarian
migration admission, private/non-governmental sponsorship,
• Develop the knowledge base on mixed migration family reunification and more flexible visa
flows including socioeconomic conditions, well- arrangements.
being, migration intentions and the profile of • Promote avenues for regular labour migration
migrants arriving by sea, with the aim to provide and build capacity of institutions for the social
the data needed for policymakers to inform their and economic integration, including through
decisions. ethical recruitment to reduce smuggling, abuse and
• Improve understanding of the interrelations between exploitation.
migration, environment and climate change and their • Initiate awareness raising campaign on the risks
effects on global security and build the capacity of related to irregular migration and options available
policymakers and practitioners in order to factor for legal channels and access to social and health
migration into environmental and development services.
policies. • Strengthen IOM’s capacity to engage the media
• Propose comprehensive and tailored institutional and the public to communicate IOM’s messages,
capacity-building initiatives to provide national activities, data and analysis in order to improve
policymakers and practitioners with better the discourse over migration and contribute to
understanding of the link between human mobility a sound, informed basis for policymaking. This
and development. includes the need to produce and communicate more
human interest stories and evidence-based analyses
• Mobilize diaspora associations as agents for by harnessing new media and technologies with the
development by engaging in co-development goal of highlighting migrant perspectives, raising
initiatives, including in the health sector, sustainable public awareness on the plight of migrants as well as
land management and land rehabilitation in their their positive contributions to society, and garnering
countries of origin; and migrants to become “mentors” increased public sympathy and support. Increasing
of their peers in the hosting communities. joint messaging with partners should be sought.
10 Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan• Support rights-based border management at rights violations at the hands of smugglers, traffickers
irregular migration hotspots in cooperation with and others. Migrants may get stranded along the
Frontex, by enhancing capacities and facilitating way and are at risk of destitution and arbitrary and
coordination and cooperation with border prolonged detention (especially in Libya). Two
management agencies in third countries. particularly concerning trends are the high number
• Support EU Member States in establishing relocation of unaccompanied migrant children, especially from
schemes for Syrians and Eritreans from Italy and Egypt and countries of the Horn of Africa, and the
Greece based on IOM’s practical experience and intense abuse by smugglers which, in many instances,
expertise with the pilot relocation scheme from converts a smuggling situation into one more akin to
Malta (EUREMA, 2009-2011) including increased human trafficking.
coordination of post arrival measures in light of
a uniform application of the Common European Routes
Asylum System. Migratory routes to and through North Africa broadly
follow the Western and the Central Mediterranean
routes: on the western side, routes run along the coast
North Africa: Regional overview from Mauritania to Morocco (mainly used by Senegalese
Flows and Gambians) or through the desert through Niger
and Mali to Algeria and Morocco (used inter alia by
North Africa witnesses forced migration and Ghanaians, Ivoirians, Cameroonians, Nigeriens). Gao
external displacement as well as labour migration in Mali, Agadez in Niger and Tamanrasset in Algeria
within and from countries in the region; yet current feature as important hubs for migrants along the way.
trends are dominated by complex mixed migration In Morocco, the main entry points into Europe are
flows originating in West Africa, the Horn of Africa the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, although
and the Middle East. Key drivers of migration, to, there are still a few boat crossings across the Strait of
within, through and from North Africa are armed
Gibraltar.
conflict, environmental stress, political and economic
instability, poor education and employment prospects, The Central Routes, on the one hand, originate in the
and the presence of large youthful populations whose Horn of Africa and run via Sudan into Libya and to
aspirations remain unfulfilled. Perceived and real a much lesser extent into Egypt. This route is mainly
educational, professional and other opportunities, travelled by Eritreans, Ethiopians, Somalis and Sudanese.
access to asylum and the presence of networks, It should be noted that the majority of migrants from
including the diaspora, are among the main factors on the Horn of Africa rather go south towards South Africa
the destination end shaping migration flows. Flows or east towards Yemen and the Gulf, although the latter
broadly combine economic migrants, on the one hand, route is subject to change in view of the crisis in Yemen
and persons in need of international protection, on the since March 2015. On the other hand, there are routes
other hand, but at the level of the family or the individual, through Chad and Niger northwards into Libya, used
migration motives and risk analyses are often far more principally by West Africans. Sebha, Qatrun and Al
complex: for example, protection concerns combined Khufra in southern Libya are key transit points on this
with the desire to attain a more stable economic route.
future or to join family already living in Europe; while Boat departures to Italy take place principally (90%)
a primarily opportunity-seeking migration project is from the Libyan coast, in particular its western end,
significantly shaped by underlying political instability and to a lesser extent from the Egyptian north coast.
and lack of freedoms in the country of origin. Many migrants use – or intend to use – North Africa as
The vast majority of migrants from both the Horn a springboard to Europe. However, evidence suggests
of Africa and West Africa are young males; while that many migrants, in particular those from West
Syrians are somewhat more likely to move as families. Africa, establish in North Africa looking at economic
In addition to vulnerabilities related to age, gender opportunities as close to home as possible. They may
and health, risks for migrants also arise from the then find themselves compelled to migrate onwards,
physical conditions of the journey as well as human in particular to escape the violence in Libya. Another
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan 11Ancona Sofia
Svilengrad
Petrich
Mahon Bari Istanbul
IOM presence in North African Majorca
countries Brindisi Murefte
Turkey A
Ibiza Igoumenitsa Ayvalik
Tunis Izmir and Cesme H
Malaga Almeria Sicily Patras Athens Mersi Ufra
Algeciras Syrian Ara
Tangiers Ceuta Algiers Malta Republic
Asilah Melilla Lampedusa
Rabat Homs
Oujda Maghnia
Casablanca Beirut
Zuwaran Dama
Morocco Tripoli Zliten Alexandria
Fuerteventura Ghardaia Benghazi Amma
Agadir Ouargla
Jordan
Gran Canaria Tan-Tan Cairo
Algeria Ghädamis Ajdabiya
Aqaba
enerife Tarfaya Adrar
Libya Egypt
sia El Aiun Illizi Sebha
Bojador
Al Jawf / Aswan
Djanet
Al Kuffra
Tamanrasset
trend concerns Mauritania
the secondary movements of refugees IOM in North Africa20
Nouadhibou Selima
and asylum-seekers, above all from the Syrian Arab Niger Port Sudan
Tessalit Country Offices Locations Staff
Republic, from North African countries of first refuge Dirkou 1 Dongola
to Europe Mali
for reasons of socioeconomic opportunity or Arlit Algeria Algiers 1
Nouakchott Bilma Altbara
family reunification. Egypt 2 Cairo, Aswan 99 Kassala
Agadez
Gao Khartoum
Saint Louis
Policy Processes
Dakar Senegal Libya 2 Tripoli/Tunis, Benghazi 22
Niamey Zinder Al Qadarif
Sudan
At a regional level, policy processes and cooperation
Bamako Kano Morocco 3 Rabat, Tangier, 50
Bissau on migration
framework Ouagadougou
and relevant to North Africa
Tétouan
include the EU-Horn of Africa Migration Routes
Conakry Tunisia 3 Tunis, Sfax, Zarzis 53
Initiative (Khartoum Process) and the Euro-African Addis Ababa
Dialogue on Migration Côte Ghana
and Development (Rabat Nigeria Total 225
Freetown South
Process). Numerousd’Ivoire countries Porto-Novo
in the region Lagos
have Sudan
concluded bilateral agreements Accra
amongst each other and Under the coordination of the Regional Office for the
Monrovia
with European countries.Abidjan
With respect to the European Middle East and North Africa in Cairo, IOM Country Juba
Union, Mobility Partnerships have been signed with Offices in North Africa have identified the following
Tunisia and Morocco. More generally, countries of operational priorities for intervention:
the region are also part of the League of Arab States Uganda Ken
– which is in the process of establishing the Arab a. Protecting migrants’ basic rights Kampala
Regional Consultative Process on Migration – and the
• Support local partners to deliver and, as needed,
Arab Maghreb Union. Ministers of the League of Arab Nair
directly provide material assistance and other
States have, furthermore, adopted the “Comprehensive
humanitarian support, protection, and voluntary
Arab Strategy for Combatting Trafficking in Human
return and reintegration (AVRR) assistance to
Beings” in 2012. At an inter-agency level, IOM, the UN
led jointly by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Migration Research Division (MRD)
vulnerable and Media
stranded and Communications
migrants, including those (MCD)in from va
High Commissioner for Refugees, the Office of the High
numbers are minimum estimates based on data from respective governments. Data for Spain,victims
not confirmed by government. Nameswithand boundari
detention, of trafficking, migrants
Commissioner for Human Rights, the Danish Refugee
Council and the Regional Mixed Migration Secretariat significant health conditions, unaccompanied
(Nairobi) have formed the North Africa Mixed migrant children, and other vulnerable cases across
Migration Task Force which is supported by the Mixed the region.
Migration Hub19 and is dedicated to coordination and • Produce and disseminate information on services
knowledge production concerning the protection of available to migrants (e.g. health, psychosocial, legal,
people moving in mixed and complex flows to, through shelter, education), migrant rights, legal migration
and from North Africa.
20 The IOM office in Algiers is currently being established and
19 http://www.mixedmigrationhub.org/ staffed.
12 Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Planand mobility channels and alternatives to irregular continuing and expanding the experience of the
migration, including through Migrant Resource Social Community Centers established after the
Centres21 and/or online platforms22 in Egypt, crisis.
Morocco and Tunisia.
• Mainstream migration into relevant sectoral policies
• Strengthen government capacity through the in Morocco.
provision of technical assistance to develop and
implement evidence-based policies and legislation c. Promoting safe, orderly and
on trafficking of persons in Egypt, Morocco and
dignified human mobility
Tunisia.
• Support implementation of priority initiatives in
• Build capacity of the Libyan and Tunisian Coast
the context of the EU Regional Development and
Guards on search and rescue at sea.
Protection Programme for North Africa.
• Strengthen capacity of health services across the
b. Addressing drivers of irregular region to respond to the health needs of (transit)
migration migrants through training, improved referral
• Develop the knowledge base and analysis on mechanisms, improved infrastructure of health
migration routes into and through North Africa as facilities and medical equipment.
well as on the socioeconomic conditions, well-being, • Promote South-South dialogue, exchange and
migration intentions and profiles of residing and cooperation, in particular with regard to facilitating
potential migrants. regional labour mobility.
• Develop targeted awareness-raising campaigns on • Build capacity across the region for government
the risks of irregular migration in coordination with officials and investment in labour migration systems
local partners across the region.23 to forecast and match expected needs for national
• Mobilize North African diaspora for national labour market needs in Libya and in Europe as to
development via skills transfer through temporary ensure the protection of migrant workers’ rights.
return, investment and business opportunities and • Establish a web-based, job-matching system to
philanthropic engagement. link Egyptian job-seekers with foreign employers,
• Support innovative socioeconomic integration comprising also a Skills Qualification Framework
initiatives linked to community development and training mobility scheme.
for returning nationals in Egypt, Morocco and • Ensure access to durable solutions for stranded
Tunisian, and (in Morocco) for regularized migrants. migrants in Egypt, as well as resettlement
• Enhance measures to strengthen employability, opportunities for those in need of international
employment and self-employment for youth protection in the region.
and communities with high rates of urban/ • Support legal reform and build capacity to address
international emigration as well as through specific, irregular migration, border management and
environmentally sustainable livelihood interventions smuggling in Egypt and Tunisia, with particular
in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. attention to vulnerability and protection needs in
• Promote social cohesion in Libya among migrants, mixed flows.
internally displaced and host communities, inter alia • Support institution-building and re-establishment
through community infrastructure rehabilitation of the rule of law in relation to migration and border
and livelihood and employment initiatives, and management in Libya.
21 See www.centresmigrants.tn for further information on the • Develop Standard Operating Procedures on the
Migrant Resource Centres in Tunisia. management of detention centres and promotion of
22 See www.bosla-egypt.info for further information on the online
migrant information platform in Egypt. alternatives to detention in Libya.
23 For example, see the videos produced within the SALEMM
project in Tunisia: https://m.youtube.com/channel/
• Enhance government capacities in Tunisia to
UCXCT8RZL3Ku-e3yDBKRplCg. successfully respond to migration crises.
Addressing Complex Migration Flows in the Mediterranean:
IOM Response Plan 13West Africa: Regional overview migrant children are a common feature of migration
flows in West Africa, often at risk of abuse, exploitation
Flows or trafficking.
With a fast-growing, young and increasingly urban One significant factor influencing the migration
population, West Africa is undergoing rapid changes in decisions of many migrants is the need to escape
population dynamics which are impacting on migration instability (social, economic, environmental or
patterns. The West Africa region is characterized by a political). Security has deteriorated recently in the
long history of intraregional and interregional (mainly West Africa region, showing that States are generally
West Africa to North Africa) migration. West Africa poor-prepared/equipped both individually and
has the strongest incidence of intra-regional mobility in collectively to manage crises. Conflicts in Liberia, Sierra
sub-Saharan Africa, with some 70 per cent of migratory Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Central African Republic
movements taking place within the subregion. Labour and Nigeria have hit the region over the last decade.
migration plays an important role as most of these The activities of transnational criminal and terrorist
migratory flows are primarily motivated by employment organizations (AQIM, MUJAO, Al-Sharia, Boko Haram,
and economic factors, facilitated to some extent through Al-Mulathameen Brigades) are also contributing to
the existence of free movement protocols within the rising insecurity. Mali, the Central African Republic,
ECOWAS region. Improving coordinated civil registry and Nigeria are currently the main countries of origin
data management and supporting effective identity of refugees and internally displaced persons in the
management will directly contribute to addressing region. Droughts, desertification, deforestation, rising
both the opportunities and challenges arising from sea level, coastal erosion and flooding have increased in
intraregional mobility and is a growing priority for occurrence and severity over the last few decades and
ECOWAS and its Member states in the region. constitute factors of instability that have contributed to
The majority of countries in West Africa are displacement and growing competition for resources.
characterized by a dynamic economy and high
growth rates but weak socioeconomic conditions. Routes
Low wages or low purchasing power of income, lack In recent years, irregular migration from sub-Saharan
of regular employment or underemployment, lack of Africa towards Europe has substantially increased along
opportunities or means for education are also factors the Central Mediterranean route. From West Africa the
driving migration in the region. Changing demographic main migration routes currently transit Niger through
profiles of the countries in the region have resulted in a the desert city of Agadez, with many migrants then
bottom-heavy population pyramid with the proportion crossing the border with Libya and eventually reaching
of the youth below thirty five reaching up to 75 per cent the coastal cities of Zuhara and Zawia (neighborhood
in some countries. The percentage of the population of Tripoli) from where they often attempt to reach
living in extreme poverty in those countries often Europe via Italy. In 2015, according to the Agadez
reaches similar levels. Lack of opportunities for the Governorate’s official figures on average 2,000 sub-
youth is a powerful incentive for migration. Saharan migrants enter Libya irregularly each week. An
Although the great majority of migrants from West estimated half of all West African migrants that arrive
Africa are young males looking for better opportunities, in Lampedusa, Italy have transited through Agadez.24
highly vulnerable migrant categories are also concerned Another important, but currently less used route,
by specific flows. This is the case of many circular transits Niger to Algeria where the economic situation
migration schemes within the Region (young adults is more conducive to a seasonal occupation. Migration
migrating for seasonal work in highly dangerous flows along the Western route via Mauritania towards
sectors like mining) or consolidated migratory schemes Morocco and Algeria, and eventually Spain, have
(children from Togo and Benin to Gabon in the domestic decreased significantly since their peak in 2006.
sectors, or from neighboring countries to Ghana and In light of such mobility, West African states,
Côte d’Ivoire in the fishing and in the cocoa industry, previously considered as countries of origin, are also
etc.). In Niger, migrants from the Region of Zinder and
the villages of Matameye and Kantché are frequently 24 The Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, 2014,
Smuggled Futures: The dangerous path of the migrant from Africa to
single women and children who travel to Algeria and are Europe. The Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime,
particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Unaccompanied Geneva, Switzerland.
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IOM Response PlanYou can also read
