Situation Report

This report provides insights into the profiles, experiences, needs, routes travelled and intentions of migrants transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).1 Data was collected from 1 to 31 October 2024. IOM carried out a route observation exercise in the Republika Srpska, Sarajevo Canton, Posavina Canton, Tuzla Canton, Bosnian-Podrinje Canton and Una Sana Canton to monitor trends in entries and exits as well as transit modalities within BiH. IOM also surveyed 280 migrants in active transit locations such as bus stops or at key entry and exit locations throughout the country as well as in four transit reception centres (TRCs) in BiH (Lipa, Ušivak, Borići and Blažuj).

According to the latest figures from the Turkish Presidency of Migration Management (PMM), there are more than 4.3 million foreigners in Türkiye, of whom 3.3 million are seeking international protection.

Most of them are Syrians (3,086,0691) who have been granted temporary protection status. Another group of foreigners are international protection holders mainly from Iraq, Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Ukraine. In 2024, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were 230,6172 refugees and asylum-seekers in Türkiye.

In addition, 1,032,3793 foreigners with residence permits were in Türkiye as of October 2024, which is 97,2354 people less than in October 2023.

This report provides insights into the profiles, experiences, needs, routes travelled and intentions of migrants transiting through the Western Balkans. IOM surveyed 1,124 migrants from 1 October to 31 October 2024 in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo*.

*References to Kosovo* shall be understood in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).

The Horn of Africa and Yemen is one of the busiest and riskiest migration corridors in the world travelled by hundreds of thousands of migrants, the majority of whom travel in an irregular manner, often relying on smugglers to facilitate movement along the Eastern Route. This regional report provides monthly updates on the complex migratory dynamics through Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen based on diverse data sources and consultations with key informants in the four countries. Moreover, it provides information on the main protection concerns for migrants along the journey, a focus on children and information on the forced returns from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen.

• As of September (53,000), movements tracked in Obock towards the Arabian Peninsula surpassed all movements tracked in 2023 (49,100), which represents a 62% increase between 2023 (32,700) and 2024 for the period of January to September, and an 8% increase from all exit movements tracked in 2023.

• The number of stranded migrants in Djibouti almost quadrupled (+259%) between August (963) and September (3,461) due to the resumption of migratory movements after August’s heavy rains and floods, and tighter controls by Djiboutian authorities along the coast of Obock.

• While the overall number of migrants assisted in Obock remained similar between 2023 (2,028) and 2024 (1,850) for the period of January to September, the number of assisted girls increased by 40% (from 43 to 60).

• For the period of January to September, exit movements from Ethiopia along the Eastern Route increased by 28% between 2023 (135,000) and 2024 (173,000).

• In Ethiopia, the number of tracked migrant children increased by 33% between 2023 (6,500) and 2024 (8,700) for the period of January to September, with the number of migrant boys and girls increasing by 38% and 24%, respectively. • In September, an additional 6,000 forced returns from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia brought the total number of forced returns to 86,800, which is more than double (+102%) the total reported in all of 2023 (43,000).

• The number of migrant children tracked in Bossaso heading to Yemen more than doubled (+132%) between 2023 (2,800) and 2024 (6,400) for the period of January to September, representing 16% of movements in 2024.

• During September, there were reports of armed groups exploiting stranded migrants and coercing some into joining their ranks, while smuggling networks in the Sool region have increased their demands on transiting migrants for transportation and accommodation fees.

• In September, 284 Ethiopian migrants were deported from Oman to Yemen through Deifen Point in the Shahan district of Al Maharah Governorate, which represents a 53% increase between 2023 (1,082) and 2024 (1,653) for the period of January to September and a 24% increase from the whole of 2023 (1,336)

Since 20 October 2024, DTM monitored an escalation in clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across multiple localities in Aj Jazirah state. The Focused Flash Alert provides a numeric breakdown of displacement due to escalations in Aj Jazirah state, from 20 October to 13 November 2024. 

All figures should be understood as preliminary estimates, pending further verification. 

• Reported clashes displaced an estimated 343,473 individuals (68,801 households) between 20 October and 13 November 2024. 
• Individuals were displaced to 38 localities across seven different states. 
• Approximately (44%) of IDPs were displaced to localities in Gedaref state.
• Among the individuals displaced, an estimated 15,129 IDPs were already displaced prior to the escalation, and therefore experienced secondary displacement. 

DTM Sudan releases Early Warning Flash Alerts to provide immediate updates on specific incidents or armed clashes that spurred displacement.  Early Warning Flash Alerts are distributed via the DTM Sudan mailing list. For more granular information on displacement and mobility, see Sudan Mobility Overview (03). See also Focused Flash Alert: Aj Jazirah (Update 02) and (Update 01). 

Ovaj izveštaj pruža uvid u profile, iskustva i putovanja migranata koji prolaze kroz Republiku Srbiju. Podaci su prikupljani od 1. do 31. oktobra 2024. godine u saradnji sa Komesarijatom za izbeglice i migracije Republike Srbije (KIRS). Uzorak čini 205 migranata, anketiranih u centrima za azil (AC) Sjenica, (AC) Krnjaca, (AC) Obrenovac, te prihvatnim centrima (PC) Preševo i (PC) Bujanovac.

This report provides insights into the profiles, experiences and journeys of migrants transiting through the Republic of Serbia. Data was collected from 1 to 31 October 2024 together with the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia (SCRM). The sample consists of 205 interviewed migrants in Asylum Centres (AC) Krnjaca, (AC) Sjenica, and Reception Centres (RC) Bujanovac, (RC) Presevo.

MTM проводит опрос международных трудящихся-мигрантов в Казахстане в семи регионах и трех городах Казахстана. Выборка локаций проведения опросов был основан на результатах Базовой оценки мобильности (BMA) МОМ по международным трудящимся-мигрантам. Анкета опроса основывалась на предыдущих исследованиях МОМ в Центральной Азии и консультациях как с внутренними, так и с внешними экспертами. Анкета охватывала ряд тем, включая социально-экономические профили, опыт миграции, статус занятости, денежные переводы, а также выявление потребностей и уязвимостей.

В четвертом раунде (апрель - май 2024 г.) опроса международных трудящихся-мигрантов было опрошено 1845 международных трудящихся-мигрантов. Основные результаты показывают, что 33 процента респондентов получили только неполное среднее образование, и почти половина являлись основными кормильцами своих семей. Значительные 40 процентов сообщили, что не получают пенсионных выплат, а 73 процента не имеют доступа к ежегодному отпуску. Также, была выявлена уязвимость в трудоустройстве мигрантов: 34 процента работали без официальных контрактов, а 41 процент платили аренду за свое жилье. Для 55 процентов высокая стоимость аренды была значительным финансовым бременем. Большинство, 39 процентов, были заняты в строительном секторе. В то время как 86 процентов заявили, что у них достаточно ресурсов для покрытия расходов на основные товары, 20 процентов не имели доступа к услугам здравоохранения. Кроме того, 44 процента респондентов отправляли более половины своего дохода в виде денежных переводов своим семьям, подчеркивая их роль как ключевых кормильцев.

МTM реализует Оценку базовой мобильности (BMA) в Казахстане для отслеживания мобильности, предоставления информации о численности населения, географическом распределении мждународных трудящихся мигрантов, вернувшихся мигрантов и эмигрантов, причин миграции, а также стран происхождения, возвращения и назначения. Данные собираются на уровне общин (микрорайоны, поселки и деревни) с использованием информации от ключевых информантов и прямых наблюдений.

Оценка базовой мобильности (BMA) была проведена в семи областях Казахстана (Абай, Алматы, Костанай, Кызылорда, Мангистау, Северо-Казахстанская и Туркестанская), а также в трех крупных городах Казахстана: Шымкенте, Алматы и Астане. Это исследование охватило 1,301 сообщество через интервью с 1,923 ключевыми информантами. По оценкам ключевых информантов, в обследованных локациях Казахстана с 2020 года по апрель 2024 года проживало 598,094 международных трудящихся-мигрантов. Одновременно в обследованных локациях находилось 29,853 внутренних мигрантов, а 3,224 казахстанских граждан были зарегистрированы как эмигранты за границей. Кроме того, 17,317 казахстанских мигрантов вернулись из-за границы.

• 23 October and 12 of November 2024, attacks in Meluco, Mueda, Muidumbe, Mocimboa da Praia and Nangade displaced 6,221 individuals (1,481 families); urgent needs include food, shelter, and WASH as detailed in Movement Alert #117.
• Displacement trends between 23 October and 12 of November 2024, show a spike at 2,162 individuals on 8 November and 1,114 on the 7 November, indicating intensified movement due to increased attacks and fear of violence.
• Current movement patterns show Nangade (Litingina) to Nangade Sede and M’Tamba within Nangade district as the largest displacement flow with 3,120 individuals, followed by Chapa (Oumba) to Chapa (Nanhala) with 2,146 individuals alongside smaller movements from Meluco, Diaca, Mapate, and Mbau to nearby safer areas, highlighting the spread of displacement within local communities.