By Muhammad Amaan
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said migrants play critical roles in labour markets, filling skills gaps, driving innovation and entrepreneurship, and addressing demographic challenges in aging societies.
Director-General of IOM, Amy Pope made this known on Wednesday in her message to mark the 2024 International Migrants Day.
The day is marked annually on December 18 and shines a spotlight on the contributions of millions of migrants around the world.
Pope said that it was also a day to highlight the increasingly complex environment in which migration occurred.
According to her, migrants boost economic growth and provide a lifeline to families and communities back home, driving development.
“Conflicts, climate-related disasters and economic pressures continue to drive millions of people from their homes in search of safety or simply opportunity.
“Last year, we saw record levels of internal displacement, rising humanitarian needs across ongoing and new crises and tragically, the highest-ever death toll of migrants in transit.
“Yet alongside these challenges are stories of resilience, progress and hope where safe and well-managed migration holds extraordinary potential.”
She added that IOM was launching its Global Appeal for 2025 to harness its potential and meet rising humanitarian needs worldwide
This vital funding, Pope said, would support IOM programming across more than 170 countries and territories, with a goal of reaching over 101 million people.
“IOM’s work will continue to focus on our three key strategic objectives. Saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement and supporting pathways for safe, regular and orderly migration.”
She noted that IOM was committed to maximising the impact of every dollar, improving efficiency, partnering locally, and leveraging data to better plan and respond to evolving needs.
