KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – At least 5,046 Afghan citizens have died on migration routes since 2014, including thousands who perished while fleeing the country after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, according to a new report by IOM.
The report, released on Tuesday, reveals that more than 52,000 people have lost their lives globally while attempting to escape crisis-affected countries over the past decade.
The report also reveals that conflict- and disaster-affected countries, such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Syria account for 54% of these deaths. More than 3,100 Myanmar citizens have died during their migration journey.
The report notes that the Central Mediterranean route remains the deadliest migration route, with nearly 25,000 people lost at sea.
“These numbers are a tragic reminder that people risk their lives when insecurity, lack of opportunity, and other pressures leave them with no safe or viable options at home,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. She emphasized the need for investment in stability and opportunities within communities, so migration becomes a choice, not a necessity.
Julia Black, coordinator of IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, warned that the true death toll is likely far higher due to data gaps, particularly in conflict zones and disaster-stricken areas.
IOM has called on governments and humanitarian partners to work together to ensure migrants are included in crisis responses. This includes expanding legal migration pathways, improving access to aid and healthcare, and investing in data systems to better track and protect those at risk.
Each year, thousands of Afghans leave their homeland in search of a better life abroad. While many seek legal pathways, a significant number attempt illegal routes to Europe, often passing through Iran and Turkey.
Last year, IOM reported that nearly eight million Afghans have migrated since 2020, with the majority moving to neighboring countries. Approximately one million have sought refuge in European nations. Most cited the lack of job opportunities, ongoing conflict, political instability, and the Taliban’s return to power as the main reasons for leaving Afghanistan.
