Latest news with #InternationalOrganisationforMigration
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Death trap' boats overloaded with migrants surge under Starmer
The number of overloaded dinghies crossing the Channel with more than 80 migrants on board has trebled in a year, Home Office figures have revealed. Ruthless people-smuggling gangs are cramming ever increasing numbers of people into flimsy dinghies in an attempt to maximise profits, the data showed. Some 33 small boats carrying more than 80 migrants were intercepted in the Channel in the year to April – up from 11 in the previous year and only one in the 12 months to April 2023. The number of dinghies with 70 to 79 people on board also increased nearly four-fold, from 35 to 123 in a year. Ministers have claimed the rising numbers are a consequence of an international crackdown on supply chains from China and in Europe, which has restricted smugglers' access to boats, engines and life jackets. 'We call them small boats, but honestly, they're not worthy of the name boat,' Sir Keir Starmer has previously said. 'To me, they look like death traps, flimsy rubber, no firm structure. You wouldn't even let your children climb aboard, even for a second, in shallow water.' At least 82 people, including 14 children, died trying to cross the Channel last year, according to the International Organisation for Migration. They lost their lives not only through drowning or hypothermia but also after being crushed inside boats that collapse in on themselves because they do not have wooden bases. Women and children crammed into the well of a boat are often the most vulnerable. As the Home Office statistics were published on Tuesday, two Afghans were jailed for eight months for piloting a dinghy across the Channel from France in a crossing attempt that saw a woman and child crushed to death. Shah Salim Sajjadi, 38, and Safiollah Mohammadi, 25, were arrested after a vessel packed with more than 70 people arrived into UK waters on May 21. Shortly after its departure from a beach near Calais earlier in the day, a woman and child had been pulled off the overcrowded boat by a French coastal patrol vessel but were declared dead. The Home Office data showed that the number of boats with 60 to 69 migrants on board increased from 118 in the year to April 2024 to 189 in the year to this April. This was up from 50 in 2023 and 13 in 2022. The number of boats with fewer than 60 people in them fell from 450 to 393. The figures also revealed that the surge in Channel migrants under Sir Keir could be partly blamed on the weather. There were 149 red days with calm seas suitable for crossings from the election last July to the end of this April. That was nearly double the 77 red days in the same period in the previous year under Rishi Sunak. It meant there were 33,183 migrant crossings on red days under Labour, compared with 21,139 under Mr Sunak – a 57 per cent increase. So far this year, there have been a record 14,812 migrants reaching the UK, the highest ever recorded in the first five months of a year and up 42 per cent on this time last year. According to the data, there were 60 red days between Jan 1 and April 30 this year, when factors such as wind speed, wave height and the likelihood of rain meant crossings were classed as 'likely' or 'highly likely'. Some 11,074 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel during these four months. There were 27 red days in the same period last year, less than half the number, with 7,567 crossings recorded – nearly a third lower than the total for this year. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: 'Labour seems to think praying for bad weather is a good border security strategy. This is a weak Government, with no plan to end illegal immigrants crossing the Channel. 'They should never have cancelled the Rwanda removals deterrent before it even started. That's why 2025 is the worst year in history for illegal crossings – not the weather. Blaming the weather for the highest ever crossing numbers so far this year is the border security equivalent of a lazy student claiming 'the dog ate my homework'. 'This is a clear failure for our weak Prime Minister and his weak Home Secretary.' Assessments of the likelihood of migrant crossings are prepared for the Home Office by the Met Office. The assessments are colour-coded red, amber or green according to likelihood of activity based on environmental and other factors, including wave height, surf conditions on beaches, wind speed and direction, the chance of rain, and recent trends in conditions. If the probability of migrant activity in the Channel is greater than 55 per cent, crossings are classed as 'likely' or 'highly likely' (a red day). If the probability of activity is less than 35 per cent, crossings are considered 'unlikely' or 'highly unlikely' (a green day). Red days accounted for 35 per cent of all days and 84 per cent of total arrivals between May 2021 and April this year. A further 11 per cent of arrivals occurred on amber days and five per cent of arrivals on green days. All assessments are based on data recorded in the Dover Strait and do not consider other factors that can influence the number of arrivals, such as the availability of boats. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Sudan humanitarian crisis deepens as fighting continues: UN
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is deepening as fighting, displacement and health emergencies fuel needs, the world body warned. In North Darfur state, artillery shelling continues to affect residential areas of El Fasher city and the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced people. Daily civilian casualties are reported, and recent days have seen an intensification of night bombardments, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday. Humanitarian partners on the ground report that access to education remains severely constrained in North Darfur. Since the conflict began in April 2023, a quarter of a million children have lost access to learning, said OCHA. In South Kordofan state, the International Organisation for Migration reported last week that about 2,800 people, primarily women and children, fled renewed fighting in the town of Dibebad. The situation in the state capital of Kadugli has also seriously deteriorated in recent weeks, with intense shelling and humanitarian access largely cut off, said the office. In Northern state, authorities report that about 6,000 people who fled from North Darfur, Khartoum and West Kordofan states due to insecurity arrived in Ad Dabbah locality between May 12 and 22, it said. Meanwhile, the cholera outbreak in Khartoum state is worsening at an alarming rate. Humanitarian partners in the state report an 80 per cent increase in suspected cases over the past two weeks, bringing the total to more than 8,500, it said. In Blue Nile state, some 8,500 Sudanese refugees have returned from South Sudan since late April. A recent inter-agency assessment by the United Nations and its partners found high rates of acute respiratory infections, malaria and skin conditions among these returnees. The lack of mosquito nets, proper shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is significantly increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, said OCHA, Xinhua news agency reported. The office calls for increased, flexible and timely funding to scale up the humanitarian response as well as unimpeded access via all necessary routes so that aid workers can reach people in need, it said.
Barnama
27-05-2025
- General
- Barnama
IOM Strengthens Regional Media On Migration Reporting
Addressing this challenge, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) recently organised a specialised training course, 'Navigating Migration Narratives and Principles of Ethical Journalism', to enhance the quality and ethics of migration reporting. BANGKOK, May 28 (Bernama) -- In an era where virtually anyone can publish content online and information spreads instantly, the rapid proliferation of false or misleading information, commonly known as misinformation, has become a pressing global issue. Over three days, participants explored legal frameworks, root causes of migration, and the lived experiences of migrants. The course equipped journalists, producers, and communicators with tools to handle complex migration narratives while upholding ethical journalism principles like accuracy, fairness, and accountability. Held from May 20 to May 22 at a prominent hotel in Bangkok, the training brought together 17 media practitioners from Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Among the participants, Shashwaty Sarker Disha, a reporter from Nagorik Television in Bangladesh, said the training reshaped her approach to ethical reporting. A standout feature was the inclusion of migrants' personal stories, offering firsthand accounts that humanised migration, challenged stereotypes, and fostered empathy. A key focus was combating misinformation, correcting misconceptions, and avoiding stigmatising language that can fuel discrimination. 'Sometimes we use a subject in a story without properly explaining the background, which can mislead audiences and create negative perceptions about migrants,' she said. 'It reinforced the need to centre migrant voices, challenge stereotypes, and navigate narratives with sensitivity and responsibility. I've also become more conscious of the language I use and more deliberate in questioning the power dynamics behind the stories we tell.' She added that she now pays closer attention to visuals in migration stories, recognising how photos and graphics can shape perceptions. Another participant from Indonesia, who requested anonymity, said the training bridged the gap between theory and practice. 'Before joining this training, I was already practising some of these principles in the field. But this program gave me the conceptual understanding I had been missing, the theories and ethical frameworks behind the reporting,' she said. 'It strengthened the knowledge I already had, and now I'm more confident in approaching migration stories with empathy and context, not just instinct.' She noted that migration issues in Indonesia often only gain media attention when linked to local controversies or larger conflicts, framing migrants as a 'threat.' 'What's really needed is a conceptual understanding of migration, the root causes, the long and often painful journey to seek asylum so that we can go beyond surface-level coverage,' she added. The Indonesian reporter emphasised that the training showed how better journalism can give voice to the unheard and create a lasting impact. The programme was led by seasoned professionals, including Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie's Sheila Mysorekar, a senior journalist and expert on peace and conflict issues, DW editor Zobaer Ahmed, and IOM's Senior Regional Media and Communications Officer, Itayi Viriri, and others. They provided mentorship on effective communication, audience engagement, and data-driven storytelling. Sessions stressed that migration reporting is not just about facts but about shaping public perception and influencing policy through ethical storytelling. The interactive, cross-border format also encouraged participants to share country insights and brainstorm collaborative stories, paving the way for more balanced media coverage across Southeast and South Asia. A key takeaway: journalists are not merely conveyors of news; they shape public opinion. The stories they tell, and how they tell them, profoundly influence how migrants are perceived and treated. As global migration continues to evolve amidst geopolitical, economic, and climate pressures, initiatives like this IOM training are vital to ensuring media coverage remains factual, fair, and human-centred. IOM is the leading intergovernmental organisation within the United Nations system, and it has been dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration since 1951. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
CairoScene
29-04-2025
- General
- CairoScene
Refugees Returning to Sudan From Egypt Have Tripled Since 2024
Monthly returns to Sudan from Egypt rose, with the International Organisation for Migration tracking a sevenfold increase. Apr 29, 2025 The number of refugees returning from Egypt to Sudan rose by 50,000 in one month, according to an update from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). April's returns were two and a half times higher than March, with crossings concentrated at the Ashkeet and Argeen border points. This brings total returns to over 165,000 amid major shifts in the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. IOM attributed the surge to the Sudanese Armed Forces' recent recapture of Khartoum and parts of central Sudan, which have prompted many displaced people to attempt a return. Since April 2023, over 13 million people have been displaced by the war in Sudan. Of those, nearly 4 million crossed borders, including more than 1.5 million who are currently in Egypt. Sudanese nationals make up 72% of all registered refugees in Egypt, according to UNHCR. So far in 2025, between January 1st and April 26th, more than 122,000 people have returned from Egypt to Sudan, nearly triple the total number for all of 2024. The monthly return average has soared to 30,700 this year, up from just 3,500 in 2024. Most returnees were originally displaced from Khartoum and Gazeira state.
The Guardian
18-04-2025
- The Guardian
Man confirmed dead after crossing English Channel in small boat
Police are investigating after a person died while travelling to the UK on a cross-Channel dinghy on Friday after a 'medical emergency' on board. It was the second death reported in the Channel in two days, although the body found earlier on Thursday has not yet been formally identified, so it is not known whether they were also making a crossing. Friday's death is the first confirmed since last month. According to the International Organisation for Migration, between 11 January and 20 March this year there have been 10 deaths in the Channel. A Kent police spokesperson said: 'Kent police was called at 8.26am on Friday 18 April 2025 after a Border Force patrol responded to a medical emergency on a small boat in the English Channel. A man has since been pronounced deceased. Officers have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading to the man's death. 'The priority remains to establish the man's identity in order to notify his family. Officers are currently at Dover Lifeboat Station while initial inquiries are under way.' A UK government spokesperson said: 'This morning, Border Force responded to a medical emergency on board a small boat entering UK waters. It is with regret that we can confirm one individual has died, and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones. 'Investigations are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time, but we want to thank those who responded to this incident and who continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and protect lives at sea.' In relation to the discovery of a body in the Channel on Thursday, a police spokesperson said: 'Kent police was called at 7.40am on Thursday 17 April 2025, after a body of a man was located by a Border Force patrol in the English Channel, around two miles out from Dover. Police inquiries are ongoing to establish the man's nationality and identity.' As of Thursday, a record 9,099 people have crossed the Channel so far this year. Figures for the first four months of 2022 were 6,691 people, and for the same period in 2023, 5,946 people, and for the first four months of 2024, 7,567 people. The highest number crossing in a single day so far this year was 705 people in 12 boats on 14 April. The government has pledged to 'smash' the people-smuggling gangs and has announced a new initiative to do so. British and French government officials are in talks about a 'migrant swap' pilot scheme in which some migrants who cross the Channel in small boats will be returned to France. In return, the UK will take others who are eligible for refugee family reunion. Announcing this plan a Home Office spokesperson said: 'We have already secured agreement from the French to deploy a new elite unit of officers at the coast, launch a specialist intelligence unit, increase police numbers and introduce new powers for the French authorities to intervene in shallow waters.'
