Latest news with #InternationalOrganizationforMigration
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
18 migrants die in Libya shipwreck
At least 18 migrants died in a shipwreck off the city of Tobruk in eastern Libya over the weekend, and 50 are still missing, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday, citing reports. Ten survivors have been accounted for so far, the IOM said. Tobruk is a coastal city near the border with Egypt. A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi in eastern Libya told Reuters by phone that the migrants are from Egypt. The diplomat said 10 bodies were identified and transferred back home, while the survivors were being held in an anti-illegal migration facility. A Libyan Coast Guard official said the bodies of migrants were found in Alaghila Beach, some 25 kilometers east of Tobruk. Since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a transit country for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty across the desert and over the Mediterranean to Europe
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
Lured By Hope, Trapped By Lies: Healing After Being Trafficked
Eight years ago, Maria left Caracas, Venezuela, driven by dwindling opportunities and the hope of completing her veterinary studies. At just 21, she accepted an offer from an acquaintance who promised work in Trinidad and Tobago, cleaning homes, waiting tables. It seemed like a lifeline, a way to support herself and her family back home. She didn't know then that she was stepping into a well-laid trap. 'I believed in the promise of a better future,' Maria recalled, 'but found myself trapped in a nightmare I couldn't escape.' Forced into labour and sexual exploitation, she lived in fear, rarely seeing sunlight, with her freedom stripped away. Held captive for months After eight months in captivity, Maria managed to escape. It wasn't the end of her struggles, but the start of a slow, determined journey toward healing. Now 29, she lives in Trinidad and Tobago with her partner and their two young children, aged one and five. Though her days are now filled with school runs and shared meals, the trauma still lingers. She smiles when she speaks of them, but her voice carries the weight of everything she has survived. 'It hasn't been easy,' she said, her voice shaking. 'But, I am building a new life, step by step.' Back in Venezuela, her family knows nothing of what she endured. Shame and fear have kept her silent. It's been seven years since she last saw her parents and siblings. Although she misses them deeply, the weight of what happened still feels too heavy to put into words. Combatting human trafficking Like many survivors of human trafficking, Maria has had to rebuild more than just her physical safety. The emotional wounds run deep, and the stigma surrounding trafficking makes recovery even harder. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been by her side, offering psychosocial support, helping her find safe housing and providing the tools to rebuild her life. 'We work tirelessly to combat human trafficking,' says Desery Jordan-Whiskey, reporting project assistant in Trinidad and Tobago. 'Our commitment is to provide critical assistance to survivors while advocating for stronger policies to prevent exploitation and ensure justice.' Maria is one of many women across the region who have been lured by false promises and found themselves in situations of exploitation. She knows there's a long road ahead, but she refuses to be defined by her past. 'I want other women to know they are not alone. There is life after this, there is strength.' Her story sheds light on the wider human trafficking crisis, where women and girls are disproportionately affected. According to the 2024 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, 52 per cent of victims in Central America and the Caribbean are girls under the age of 18, and 62 per cent are trafficked for sexual exploitation. Behind every statistic is a human being, a daughter, a sister, a mother, trying to survive and recover. But, numbers cannot capture the courage it takes to begin again. 'I am living proof that you can rebuild your life,' Maria says, her voice steady now. 'It takes time, but it's possible.'
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- General
- Express Tribune
18 migrants die in shipwreck off eastern Libya, 50 missing
Listen to article At least 18 migrants died in a shipwreck off the city of Tobruk in eastern Libya over the weekend, and 50 are still missing, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday, citing reports. Ten survivors have been accounted for so far, the IOM said. Tobruk is a coastal city near the border with Egypt. A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi in eastern Libya told Reuters by phone that the migrants are from Egypt. The diplomat said 10 bodies were identified and transferred back home, while the survivors were being held in an anti-illegal migration facility. A Libyan Coast Guard official said the bodies of migrants were found in Alaghila Beach, some 25 kilometers east of Tobruk. Since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has become a transit country for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty across the desert and over the Mediterranean to Europe. "This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly risks people are forced to take in search of safety and opportunity. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants and refugees, many of whom face exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening journeys," the IOM said.
Libya Review
11 hours ago
- General
- Libya Review
50 Migrants Missing after Boat Capsizes Near Libya's Tobruk
At least 18 migrants have died, and 50 remain missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Tobruk in eastern Libya over the weekend, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday. The IOM said ten survivors have been rescued so far. A diplomatic source from the Egyptian consulate in Benghazi confirmed to Reuters that the migrants were all Egyptian nationals. The source added that the identities of ten victims have been confirmed, and their bodies have been repatriated to Egypt. The surviving migrants are being held at a facility operated by the Libyan department for combating irregular migration. A Libyan coastguard official stated that the bodies were found on Al-Aqilah beach, around 25 kilometres east of Tobruk. Since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has become a key transit country for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe. Many travel from sub-Saharan Africa or Egypt, crossing the desert and embarking on dangerous sea journeys in an attempt to reach Italy's shores, just 300 kilometres away. The IOM described the tragedy as 'a stark reminder of the deadly risks people are forced to take in search of safety and opportunities.' It warned that Libya remains a major migration hub where many migrants face exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening journeys. Humanitarian groups have repeatedly called for stronger international efforts to address migrant smuggling networks and improve rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The recent incident adds to the growing death toll on the central Mediterranean route, one of the world's most dangerous migration corridors. Tags: EgyptIOMlibyaMediterraneanmigrantsmigrationtobruk
Arab Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait shines in anti-trafficking push
KUWAIT CITY, July 29: The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Migration Agency in Kuwait, joins the global community in marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on 30 July. This year's theme, 'Human Trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation,' highlights the urgent need to dismantle criminal networks and ensure comprehensive support for survivors. In this context, IOM commended the State of Kuwait for its continued efforts and proactive measures to address human trafficking through a coordinated, victim-centered approach. Human trafficking remains a grave violation of human rights, affecting millions of people worldwide. IOM is committed to combating this crime through a multifaceted approach encompassing prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships. The State of Kuwait has demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling human trafficking through a comprehensive national strategy for 2025–2028. This strategy focuses on strengthening legal frameworks, implementing a national referral system, enhancing the capacity of enforcement agencies, and fostering regional and international cooperation. Kuwait has enacted robust countertrafficking legislation, including Law 91 of 2013, and continues to improve deterrence and enforcement. The establishment of a national referral system ensures that victims receive timely and effective support. Specialized training is provided to law enforcement and relevant agencies to build their capacity to identify, investigate and respond to trafficking cases, while cross-border cooperation remains a key pillar of Kuwait's approach. 'On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we recognize the State of Kuwait's leadership role in combatting human trafficking through its national strategy, legal reforms, and victim centered protection. The 2025 theme highlights the organized and harmful nature of trafficking. Continued collaboration among government, civil society, and international partners is essential to dismantle trafficking networks and ensure justice and support for survivors. IOM Kuwait remains committed to this mission,' said Mazen Aboul- Hosn, IOM Kuwait's Chief of Mission. The fight against trafficking must be anchored in training and coordination. Law enforcement, immigration officials, healthcare workers, and consular staff must be able to detect signs of trafficking and respond with a victim-centred approach. These national efforts are further amplified by Kuwait's leadership at the regional level. The successful hosting of the Sixth Government Forum to Combat Human Trafficking in the Middle East held earlier this year demonstrated Kuwait's commitment to advancing protection and justice for victims of trafficking.
