The head of the United Nations migration agency announced on Thursday a significant influx of funding, highlighting a diversification of its donor base at a time when other UN entities are grappling with financial shortages.
However, the outcome of upcoming elections worldwide may impact future support, she cautioned.
Amy Pope, a former migration adviser to US President Joe Biden, secured his endorsement for her successful bid to lead the International Organization for Migration (IOM) last year.
Pope emphasized a holistic approach to the multifaceted issues surrounding migration, stressing the dangers many migrants face on their treacherous journeys.
“This is not about representing the Biden administration,” Pope asserted during an interview at IOM’s headquarters in Geneva.
“This is about bringing a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to the issue of migration, recognizing that narrowing it down to one slice of a migrant’s journey is a significant mistake.”
Amy Pope
Pope, as IOM’s director-general, has firmly opposed reducing migration management to mere border control, which she believes is a critical strategic error for governments and contributes to adverse political outcomes.
Her tenure saw the launch of IOM’s inaugural global appeal in January, with a goal of nearly $8 billion to proactively address migration flows rather than react to crises.
The appeal has attracted funding from diverse sources, including development banks and tech giant Microsoft.
Pope reported that “over a third of the appeal has been funded so far.”
In contrast, other UN agencies, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, have expressed concern over funding deficits for crises like the war in Sudan, despite efforts by wealthy nations to address the shortfall.
Pope has consistently highlighted the positive aspects of migration, such as the labor contributions migrants provide to host countries and the financial remittances sent back home.
This perspective comes at a time when right-wing political movements in some Western countries are vocal in their criticism of migrants.
“I think every UN agency is struggling with the impact of elections that are happening around the world at this moment in time,” Pope noted.
“There’s no guarantee that whoever comes into a position of power will have the same regard for the role that the UN and various multilateral institutions play.”
Amy Pope
She emphasized the importance of maintaining a diverse set of donors and clearly communicating IOM’s mission.
Challenges Faced By Migrants Seeking Greener Pastures
A joint report titled “On this journey, no-one cares if you live or die,” released by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC), underscored the severe challenges faced by migrants.
The report criticized current international efforts as “inadequate” and highlights the lack of specific support and access to justice for survivors of abuse along migration routes.
It also pointed out that funding shortfalls and humanitarian access restrictions hinder effective support.
The report revealed stark statistics, noting that more people are estimated to cross the Sahara Desert than the Mediterranean Sea.
From January 2020 to May 2024, 1,180 people are known to have perished while traversing the Sahara, although the actual number is likely higher.
During the same period, approximately 7,115 individuals were reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean.
These perilous journeys are often driven by deteriorating conditions in both the migrants’ countries of origin and host nations.
Factors such as new conflicts in the Sahel and Sudan, the devastating impact of climate change, natural disasters, and rising xenophobic attitudes contribute to the increasing desperation of those seeking safer lives.
The IOM, under Pope’s leadership, continues to navigate these complex challenges, advocating for a comprehensive approach to migration and striving to secure the necessary resources to support vulnerable populations on the move.
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