BULAWAYO, Might 08 (IPS) – Whereas there have been a report variety of displaced individuals worldwide, in keeping with a brand new report by the Worldwide Group for Migration (IOM), migrant remittances are selling human growth.
Hundreds of thousands of individuals from creating international locations depend on cash despatched from overseas by family, serving to drive native economies marked by high unemployment and poverty, in keeping with humanitarian companies that embody the World Financial institution.
The IOM report launched on Might 7, 2024, comes at a time of accelerating international crises corresponding to battle and famine which have compelled hundreds of thousands out of their house international locations, whereas migrants fleeing financial hardships are additionally making perilous journeys in the hunt for higher employment alternatives.
The IOM estimates that there are presently 281 million worldwide migrants worldwide, whereas one other 117 million individuals have been displaced by pure disasters, violence, battle, and different causes.
The humanitarian company says these numbers signify the best in modern-day information.
Elevated migration has in flip fed a spike in remittances, with a soar of greater than 650 p.c from 2000 to 2022, the IOM World Migration Report 2024 says.
Worldwide remittances shot up from USD128 billion to USD831 billion in 22 years, and the IOM notes that COVID-19 journey restrictions didn’t disrupt migration developments.
“Of that USD831 billion in remittances, USD647 billion have been despatched by migrants to low- and middle-income international locations. These remittances can represent a good portion of these international locations’ GDPs, and globally, these remittances now surpass international direct funding in these international locations,” the IOM says.
The World Migration Report 2024 additionally comes at a time when African immigrants particularly are dropping their lives within the excessive seas as they try and cross into Europe.
For the migrants who make it to the shore, the promise of higher lives has been shattered by what critics say are populist proper wing political events who’re whipping up anti-migrant feelings.
The IOM, nevertheless, says a extra balanced telling of the migrant’s story is required if the world is to raised perceive what has routinely been termed a worldwide disaster.
“Migration, an intrinsic a part of human historical past, is usually overshadowed by sensationalized narratives. Nevertheless, the truth is much extra nuanced than what captures headlines,” the IOM notes.
“Most migration is common, secure, and regionally centered, instantly linked to alternatives and livelihoods. But, misinformation and politicization have clouded public discourse, necessitating a transparent and correct portrayal of migration dynamics,” the IOM added.
Amid such challenges, the IOM says the earnings of the migrants should not solely serving to handle host labour market deficits however, extra importantly, boosting remittances and driving the human growth index of their house international locations.
“The World Migration Report 2024 helps demystify the complexity of human mobility via evidence-based information and evaluation,” IOM Director Basic Amy Pope mentioned on the Might 7 launch in Bangladesh.
In explaining the placement of the launch, the IOM defined in a press launch:
“By selecting Dhaka because the report’s launch web site, IOM not solely highlights the nation’s efforts in supporting weak migrants and fostering pathways for normal migration but additionally acknowledges Bangladesh’s essential function in shaping international migration discourse and coverage.”
At a time when migration has grow to be a sizzling button in developed international locations, Bangladesh is being seen as a mannequin for the World Compact for Secure, Orderly, and Common Migration’s Champion nation.
“As one of many GCM champion international locations, Bangladesh won’t solely proceed to behave upon the pledges it has made for its home context however may even take up rising points and challenges pertaining to migration and growth for knowledgeable deliberations on the worldwide degree,” mentioned Hasan Mahmud, the Bangladeshi international minister.
The Asian nation “has demonstrated a powerful dedication to addressing migration points and implementing insurance policies that safeguard migrants’ rights,” the IOM says.
These sentiments additionally come at a time of anti-immigrant sentiment and xenophobia, which analysts say have slowed efforts to advertise human growth via remittances.
“In a world grappling with uncertainty, understanding migration dynamics is important for knowledgeable decision-making and efficient coverage responses, and the World Migration Report advances this understanding by shedding gentle on longstanding developments and rising challenges,” Pope mentioned.
“We hope the report conjures up collaborative efforts to harness the potential of migration as a driver for human growth and international prosperity,” DG Pope mentioned.
Researchers say there may be nonetheless extra to be accomplished to know the urgency of the challenges and alternatives introduced by migration.
“It’s the insecurity that residents face—financial and existential—that feeds the sense of disaster,” mentioned Loren Landau, professor on the College of Witwatersrand’s African Centre for Migration and Society in South Africa.
For now, there doesn’t look like something that may cease the migration development, with the IOM calling for “significant motion in addressing the challenges and alternatives of human mobility.”
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
