Chapter 1 Migrant Deaths: An International Overview
Table 1.1: Regional estimates of migrant border-related deaths compiled by various sources, available years between 1996 and 2014 Region Sahara United States–Mexico border European external borders Australian waters Horn of Africa Bay of Bengal Caribbean
Number of deaths 1,790 6,029
Years
Source
1996–2013 1998–2013
22,400
2000–2014
1,495
2000–2014
3,104 1,500–2,000 188
2006–2014 2012–2014 2012–2014
Fortress Europe United States Border Patrol IOM based on The Migrants Files Australian Border Deaths Database UNHCR; IOM for 2014 UNHCR; Arakan Project UNHCR; IOM for 2014
Notes: (a) The definition of border-related death varies between sources; some count only deaths occurring at external borders, while others include deaths that occur once in the destination or transit country that can be directly or indirectly attributed to the border control regime. (b) 2014 figures are until September 2014 (Bay of Bengal until June 2014). (c) Figure for the United States–Mexico border is until 30 September 2013.
1.3.2 Who is most at risk? Origin of migrants
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We know relatively little about the socioeconomic profile of deceased migrants, and in many cases even basic demographic information is missing. Regarding data obtained by IOM for 2014, region of origin is unknown for roughly one in five of those who have died around the world, highlighting the need for improved data. Comprehensive data regarding identity and nationality of each of the deceased is a long way off in most regions. Only in some areas along the United States–Mexico border is data of sufficient quality to determine this information, where condition of remains allows. Even data on region of origin is based on incomplete information. The region of origin of deceased migrants, indicated in Figures 1.3 and 1.4 below, is at times inferred based on available information. For instance, when all survivors of a shipwreck originate in a certain region it may be assumed that those who perished where also from this area. Thus, while these Figures provides a sense of where migrants are coming from, information is approximate. According to IOM calculations, in 2014 the majority of migrants who died in transit – 65 per cent – came from Africa and the Middle East (see Figure 1.3). The majority of migrants originating in Africa and the Middle East die while crossing the Mediterranean. Those from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) (936 or 23% of deaths globally) are largely Syrians, as well as Egyptians and Palestinians, crossing the Mediterranean to Europe. Similarly, the majority of sub-Saharan Africans captured in IOM’s data die at sea while travelling to Europe.
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