Missing Migrants Project

The Missing Migrants Projects seeks to: • Support families of missing migrants • Provide a global database of migrant fatalities • Communicate with potential migrants on the risks inherent in the journey • Serve as a global information hub

Project objectives and activities

The Missing Migrants Project is a global tracking system of migrant disappearances and deaths anywhere along the world’s migratory routes. With a count surpassing 40,000 fatalities since 2000, the Missing Migrants Project seeks to shed light on this ongoing epidemic of crime and victimization. The research behind this project began with the October 2013 tragedies, when at least 368 migrants died in two shipwrecks near the Italian island of Lampedusa. Since then, the Missing Migrants Project has developed into an important hub and advocacy source of information that media, researchers, and the general public access for the latest information.

The Missing Migrants Project uses statistical data from governments and sources other agencies, as well as NGOs and media.

Besides counting fatalities, the Missing Migrants Project is part of a broader effort to engage communities around the world. Following shipwrecks, IOM offices worldwide often receive calls and emails from family members seeking news about their missing relatives, many of whom are feared dead. IOM works with all channels available, partners, authorities, search and rescue and even social media when appropriate, in order to assist those who come to IOM in search of missing loved ones.

Syrian refugees crossing the Serbian-Croatian border. © Francesco Malavolta/IOM 2015

• Reliable information on deaths on the migratory route will be uploaded to the Missing Migrants Project website. • Updates on research and newly released bulletins and reports will be disseminated widely via social media channels including Facebook and Twitter. • Support to families will be provided through IOM country offices and partners to assist in the search for missing loved ones. • The human stories behind the data will be captured and told in words, photos and video clips on the Missing Migrants Project website andacross social media channels. Stories will also be used to communicate with migrant sending communities and increase awareness about the dangers of migration.

Italian Coast Guard rescues migrants and refugees bound for Italy. © IOM/Francesco Malavolta 2014

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

With 162 member states and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM works to ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.   Italian Coast Guard rescues migrants and refugees bound for Italy. © IOM/Francesco Malavolta 2014

Amount requested (in Euros): €88,000

Type of reward offered to backers:

€100 – Social media acknowledgement €500 – Missing Migrants Project website acknowledgement €1000 – Letter of thanks from IOM Director General €5000 – Missing Migrants Project photo book €20,000 – Visit to a Missing Migrants Project operations centre

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Social media acknowledgement

€500 – Missing Migrants Project website acknowledgement

€1000 – Letter of thanks from IOM Director General

€5000 – Missing Migrants Project photo book

€20,000 – Visit to a Missing Migrants Project operations centre