Fatal Journeys: Tracking Lives Lost During Migration

In response to the growing numbers of migrants who die on their way to European shores, this report examines how data on migrant deaths is collected and shared in different parts of the world.

The study shows that no organization at the global level is currently responsible – as of the publication of this article – for systematically monitoring the number of deaths that occur. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) finds that data tends to be scattered, with a range of organizations involved in tracking fatalities and often employing different definitions of border-related death.

This report concludes with key recommendations on ways data collection and analysis can be improved in the future. The IOM considers this a key step in reducing migrant deaths, as well as allowing families to know the fate of their missing relatives.