Mixed Migration Centre

Smuggling dynamics on the Eastern Route through Yemen | Mixed Migration Centre This report focuses on the nature and dynamics of human smuggling along this Eastern Route from the Horn of Africa […]

If you are interested in what is happening, we recently published a report on smuggling dynamics on this route, based on interviews with 346 migrants in Yemen:

🚨 At least 76 people died off Yemen’s coast, dozens still unaccounted for. 
A lack of legal pathways forces migrants onto dangerous land and sea routes to avoid detection — relying on smugglers and facing high risks of abuse and exploitation.

🆕Second quarterly mixed migration update for Eastern and Southern Africa, Egypt and Yemen is out.
War in Sudan cross-border displacement, US airstrike in Yemen, shipwrecks along Eastern Route and more to discover.
🔗 Read the full #QMMU: https://f.mtr.cool/wnwyjmpdnz

Protection and assistance for Afghans in mixed migration | Mixed Migration Centre This paper examines the protection and assistance needs of Afghans in mixed migration, highlighting the risks, gender-specific vulnerabilities, and gaps in humanitarian support along routes to Pakistan and Türkiye

📃 Read the full paper:

4️⃣ 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀: 73% of respondents continue to face unmet needs, including:
  • Assistance 💵- 51%
  • Access to work 💼- 49%
  • Legal aid ⚖️- 47%
  • Resettlement assistance 🌍 - 35%
  • Shelter 🏚️ - 34%

3️⃣ 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲:
Despite high risks, 68% in Pakistan and 69% in Türkiye received no assistance during their journeys.

2️⃣ 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀:
  • 88% of respondents in Pakistan and 78% in Türkiye reported facing protection risks en route.
  • Danger zones include the Iran-Türkiye border, Van, Urmia, Ağrı, Balochistan, Peshawar and Quetta.⚠️

1️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴:
  • 75% cited insecurity
  • 71% cited economic hardship
  • For Afghan women, restrictions on education, employment, and mobility were major drivers, with 40% in Pakistan and 48% in Türkiye citing the denial of rights as a reason for migration.

Protection and assistance for Afghans in mixed migration | Mixed Migration Centre This paper examines the protection and assistance needs of Afghans in mixed migration, highlighting the risks, gender-specific vulnerabilities, and gaps in humanitarian support along routes to Pakistan and Türkiye

What have we learned about the experiences of Afghans taking perilous journeys to Pakistan & Türkiye? 📊 Key insights from 𝟮,𝟴𝟳𝟯 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟳 𝗶𝗻-𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 (Sept 2023 - Sept 2024): ⬇️

🆕Second quarterly mixed migration update for West Africa is out. Key findings include: Canary Islands migrant arrivals drop 41%; Western Med. arrivals to Spain up 15%; US travel bans; ECOWAS Labour Migration Strategy.. & more! 
🔗 Read the full QMMU: https://f.mtr.cool/rkfbfbdawd

“I knew nothing would be easy without papers” | Mixed Migration Centre Undocumented migrants in Brussels and Paris face barriers to services, worsened by rising border checks. MMC interviewed 1,002 migrants in 2024

Despite these hardships, 66% in Brussels and 79% in Paris saw Belgium or France as their final destination, with few planning to return home permanently.
🔗 Find out more about the situation of undocumented migrants in Belgium and France:

The majority of respondents felt more safe than unsafe overall, though feeling safe most of the time was more common in Paris than in Brussels. Feelings of insecurity were highest among Guineans in Paris and North Africans in Brussels.

The lack of documentation in Brussels, and poor working conditions in Paris were the main work-related challenges.

🏠 Housing was the most common challenge, especially in Brussels (78% vs. 51% in Paris). Housing stability also impacted healthcare access, as those on precarious housing were less likely to rely on public healthcare.

The rise in border identity checks and summer crackdowns in France and Belgium are exacerbating access barriers to basic services and rights for undocumented migrants. In 2024, MMC interviewed 1,002 undocumented migrants in #France and #Belgium finding that: ⬇️🧵

🆕 Quarterly update on migration trends and policies in Europe is out: overall irregular migration to the EU down 20% compared to Q2 2024, but there is an increase in movements in some routes.
#QMMU
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/hetrohzohs

MMR2025 | Mixed Migration Centre The Mixed Migration Review 2025 will focus on how the current geopolitical turmoil and shifting world order is shaping migration.

🌍 How is migration being reshaped by intensified geopolitical turmoil?  In October, we’re launching the 2025 Mixed Migration Review — exploring how global upheaval is transforming mobility. 
🔔 Subscribe for launch updates: https://mixedmigration.org/mmr2025/
#MMR2025

📣 New key #MixedMigration trends, dynamics and policy developments around the world from the second quarter of 2025.
🔗 ➡️ https://f.mtr.cool/pfmtnxxqfm

Are Crete and the Balearics Revealing Cracks in the EU Migration Deterrence? | Mixed Migration Centre Read about the uptick in arrivals at the Greek island of Crete, predominantly from Libya, and the sudden popularity of the Balearic islands as an entry point to Spain.

"The EU externalization strategy is being tested on multiple fronts, not least by some of the countries with which deals have been made, who themselves appear increasingly willing to use migration as a political tool in negotiations with the EU."

Are Crete and the Balearics Revealing Cracks in the EU Migration Deterrence? | Mixed Migration Centre Read about the uptick in arrivals at the Greek island of Crete, predominantly from Libya, and the sudden popularity of the Balearic islands as an entry point to Spain.

Uptick in arrivals in Crete & the Balearics seem to result from EU’s short-term migration strategy: securitising routes & targeting smugglers via deals with third countries—without addressing migration drivers or the links between regular & irregular migration.

Are Crete and the Balearics Revealing Cracks in the EU Migration Deterrence? | Mixed Migration Centre Read about the uptick in arrivals at the Greek island of Crete, predominantly from Libya, and the sudden popularity of the Balearic islands as an entry point to Spain.

Uptick in arrivals in Crete & the Balearics seem to result from EU’s short-term migration strategy: securitising routes & targeting smugglers via deals with third countries—without addressing migration drivers or the links between regular & irregular migration.

Seeking safety, facing risks | Mixed Migration Centre This is a report on mixed movement dynamics toward Spain via the Western Mediterranean and Northwest Africa maritime routes, highlighting key drivers, risks, and protection gaps for refugees and migrants.

🔗 📄 Discover more: 

91% of those who saw Spain as their destination applied for asylum after arrival, but only 10% had applied before arriving, often due to lack of awareness and barriers to access on the route.

43% said embarking on an irregular journey was their only option to reach Spain, despite the risk of death in the Atlantic, and exposure to death, violence, robbery, and detention while travelling on land in North Africa.

In contrast, respondents of other nationalities cited mixed drivers, with economic factors most commonly reported by Moroccans and Gambians.

Violence, insecurity, and conflict were the most frequently reported drivers of movement (69%), and were the sole reason for leaving among 63% of those who mentioned them. This was particularly prominent among Malians and Sudanese, reflecting displacement due to ongoing insecurity and conflict.

Women cited violence, insecurity, and gender-based violence (including forced marriage and domestic violence) as primary reasons for leaving.

Seeking safety, facing risks | Mixed Migration Centre This is a report on mixed movement dynamics toward Spain via the Western Mediterranean and Northwest Africa maritime routes, highlighting key drivers, risks, and protection gaps for refugees and migrants.

People on the move continue to reach Spain through two main pathways: the Med and the Atlantic. In 2024, the Atlantic was one of the deadliest sea crossings in the world. To understand journeys and risks, in 2024 we interviewed 497 migrants recently arrived in Spain: ⬇️🧵

In Belgium, a mother fears for her children under Israel’s bombs in Gaza Belgium has approved visas for Rawan Alkatari’s husband and three children, but they remain stuck in the Strip.

Why are people with approved visas still stuck in Gaza? And why aren’t more people receiving documents to leave? 
@bramfrouws.bsky.social  tells @al-jazeera-english.bsky.social : Countries could loosen documentation rules — it’s not impossible. What’s missing is political will.

Smuggling dynamics en route to and within Türkiye | Mixed Migration Centre This report reveals how Afghan, Syrian and Pakistani migrants navigate smuggling routes to and within Türkiye amid rising risks and limited legal paths.

(2/2) Read our latest report: