IOM Set to Expand Flow Monitoring Activities to Avert Human Trafficking

Addis Ababa, March 21/2020( ENA) The International Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Ethiopia has published a Flow Monitoring Survey Report on the movement of migrants in February 2020.

Though the exact numbers of irregular migrants are unknown, it is estimated that some 80,000 to 100,000 irregular migrants take to Africa’s Eastern migratory route every year.

Flow monitoring has been a key effort by the IOM as it seeks to assist member states trying to grasp the implications of so many people on the move.

The office set to expand flow monitoring activities in bid to prevent human trafficking and other protection related issues arising from irregular migration.

IOM Ethiopia has been publishing a monthly ‘dashboard’ capturing daily quantitative information on migration’s ‘in’ and ‘out’ flows with primarily focuses on locations, destinations, origins, demographics and population statistics.

The report, just released, includes qualitative findings and analysis of the movements of migrants and insights into routes, demographics, travel histories, intentions and the needs of migrant groups. 

It also captures daily qualitative information on household intentions, or reasons for choosing a destination country, to complement Flow Monitoring Registry data.

According to the report, the primary country of departure amongst respondents was Ethiopia, followed by Sudan and Djibouti while the primary intended final destinations included the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Ethiopia. 

Ethiopia is the most popular route for African migrants trying to reach the Gulf and Far East.

The report stated that tens of thousands of Africans seek passage every year to the Middle East, crossing hundreds of desert miles towards the continent’s eastern coastline on trails as old as mankind itself.