Americas, 1433 dead in 2022 alone: ​​it is the highest number ever recorded of migrant people who died while crossing the continent

ROME – Thousands of lives are lost every year as they try to cross deserts, rivers and remote areas of the Americas in an attempt to migrate. The program Missing Migrants of theInternational Organization for Migration (IOM) documented 1,433 deaths in 2022, the highest number on record since the project kicked off in 2014.

Safe routes and economic prosperity. In an effort to save lives, improve data collection and support the families of survivors, the Global Data Institute (GDI) of the IOM, which oversees the Missing Migrants Project, this week launched the first network on missing migrants in the Americas. The goal is to strengthen the capacity of the whole area to deal with the growing trend of deaths and disappearances of those who want to emigrate. “When people have access to safe and regular migratory routes, they can more easily contribute to economic prosperity both at home and in places of destination,” said Koko Warner, director of the GDI. “The lack of regular routes, on the other hand, often has tragic results and is a missed opportunity.”

Data on missing persons. The exact number of those who died and continue to die trying to cross this region is not known, but the data compiled by the Missing Migrants Project indicate that between 2014 and 2022 at least 7,495 people lost their lives. The network connects civil society organizations, government institutions, journalists who deal with rights and migrations and other key figures in the management of the migration problem, which has now assumed a structural dimension in every place in the world. The first session of meetings was held on March 29 and addressed the theme of the challenges that families in Central America have to face in searching for their missing loved ones. How is Otilia doing, a Honduran mother interviewed by the IOM, who has no more news of her son Arnold, who disappeared while traveling through Mexico.

Migrations in the Americas. When we talk about the Americas, we are referring to South, Central and North America and the Caribbean. Migration in this area – writes the IOM – is characterized by mixed and dynamic flows of refugees, asylum seekers, people who move for economic reasons. The drivers of migration are diverse and include fleeing natural disasters, structural violence, poverty and inequality.

The migration route of Mexico. One of the best-known routes for irregular migration in the region is the Mesoamerican Corridor, which runs through Central America via Mexico to the United States. The border between Mexico and the United States stretches for 3,145 kilometers and crosses territories ranging from urban areas to deserts. Approximately 1,045km of the border is guarded by a physical barrier, commonly known as a border wall.

The Darien Gap. The Darien region is a remote place of swamps and rainforest that stretches for 100 km on the border between Colombia and Panama. People taking this route are mostly from African, Asian and Caribbean countries and hope to migrate north to reach the United States. As they enter the Darien Gap in northern Colombia, they continue their journey on foot through the jungle for five to eight days. When they reach the other side of the Darien Gap, in Panama, they continue along the Mesoamerican migratory corridor to the United States. Those with the financial means try to bypass a stretch of the Darien Gap by sea, disembarking from Capurganá, the last city in Colombia before the border with Panama. This cuts the walking journey on this route down to a maximum of two or three days.

Caribbean routes. There are several maritime migration routes in the Caribbean which, like all irregular overseas crossings, are dangerous. One of the best known extends from Cuba to the state of Florida in the United States. Another maritime migration route that has gained importance in recent years connects the Venezuelan Caribbean coast with the Caribbean islands. Since the beginning of the socio-political crisis in Venezuela around 2013, a maritime migration route has formed from the Venezuelan Caribbean coast to several Caribbean islands, especially Trinidad and Tobago. Another common route in the Caribbean passes through the Mona Passage, a 130km strait between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Migration to South America. The migrants mostly come from Venezuela, from the Andean countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and from Paraguay. They are directed mainly towards Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Regional agreements in South America under the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) facilitate smooth movement within the region and reduce the need for people to undertake irregular journeys. However, some parts of these journeys continue to be dangerous. In particular, the border area between Colombia and Venezuela is difficult not only due to the geographical characteristics and natural barriers present in the area but also due to the presence of organized crime and guerrilla groups.