Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Greece is calling on the European Union to strengthen its migration policies as it anticipates a significant rise in migrants and refugees due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Greece’s Migration Minister, highlighted on Wednesday that the current migration flows might soon overwhelm the country’s capacity to handle arrivals. Panagiotopoulos explained that Greece has been preparing by considering new detention centers on the islands of Rhodes and Crete. The country has already witnessed a notable increase in sea arrivals, with numbers more than doubling since last fall. Panagiotopoulos projected that by the end of the year, Greece…

Journalists from Latin America and Spain gathered last week at the seventh Migration Journalism Congress in Mérida, Spain, to share and discuss best practices for reporting on migration. This annual event featured panels and discussions where journalists exchanged ideas on impactful approaches, such as collaborative reporting, feminist perspectives, and the importance of newsroom diversity. Mexican journalist Rocío Gallegos, director of La Verdad in Ciudad Juárez, highlighted how collaborative efforts significantly improve migration coverage. She recounted how La Verdad’s partnership with El Paso Matters in Texas and the Netherlands-based Lighthouse Reports helped them produce an in-depth forensic investigation on a tragic…

European People’s Party (EPP) President Manfred Weber recently met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, where discussions centered on strengthening the EU-Egypt partnership to address migration challenges in the Mediterranean region. Following their October 28 meeting, Weber expressed optimism about fostering cooperation to curb illegal migration, enhance economic opportunities, and improve security in the region. Weber emphasized the EPP’s commitment to a “Pact for the Mediterranean” that aims to reduce illegal migration flows and stimulate economic investment in North Africa. This pact, he stated, is designed to encourage sustainable job creation, thereby addressing migration pressures by boosting local…

On October 28, Pope Francis addressed the Scalabrinian missionaries, highlighting Italy’s low birthrate as a key reason the country needs migrants. He pointed out that with an average age of 46, Italy’s aging population could benefit from the presence of migrants, who bring vitality and contribute to the nation’s growth. The Pope stressed that welcoming migrants is crucial, urging Italians to integrate and support newcomers to build a more inclusive society. Speaking passionately about his background as the child of migrants, Pope Francis noted the resilience of migrants, who leave home in search of a better life. “Migrants come in…

In response to the rapid spread of mpox across Africa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has urgently appealed for $27.8 million to help contain the outbreak and protect migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and mobile communities. Since August 2024, mpox cases in Africa have surged from 2,800 to over 9,300, now affecting 34 countries. This expansion led IOM to broaden its initial response to cover a wider range of African nations, as part of a Multi-country Mpox Preparedness and Response Plan that runs until February 2025. The new plan will focus on essential services for those most vulnerable to…

Migrant workers in the UK, particularly those on seasonal worker visas, are facing significant exploitation and poor living conditions. This troubling situation is underscored by experiences shared at the Worker Support Centre (WSC) in Scotland, where many seasonal agricultural workers express feelings of being “slaves.” Despite coming to the UK for legitimate work opportunities, these individuals often confront unrealistic picking targets, inadequate housing, and threats of dismissal. The WSC has recorded a dramatic increase in requests for assistance from seasonal farm workers this year, highlighting a disturbing rise in exploitation within the agricultural sector. The issues largely stem from the…

A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Libya when a boat carrying 13 migrants capsized, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals. The boat was reportedly en route to Europe and capsized approximately 60 kilometers from the Libyan city of Tobruk. The sole survivor was rescued and brought ashore, while the bodies of the deceased were recovered by local authorities and a humanitarian organization. The humanitarian group Al-Abreen, which aids migrants in Libya, shared the news on Facebook, stating that the boat overturned on the evening of October 28. The migrants were believed to be from Egypt and Syria,…

The Nigerian government is set to launch a Command and Control Centre aimed at curbing irregular migration into the country. This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the induction ceremony for operational officers of the Command and Control Centre for Regular Migration in Abuja. Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to migration, stating, “What we are doing today is the regular migration command and control centre. Very soon, we will come up with the irregular migration command and control centre.” He highlighted that efforts will extend beyond airports to include monitoring…

A recent study reveals that foreign workers in Sicily sent more than €4 billion abroad over the past 19 years, with remittances steadily increasing each year. According to the Assoesercenti Research Center, which analyzed data from the Bank of Italy, these funds are often sent back to support family members in migrants’ home countries. This financial outflow has sparked conversations about its economic impact, particularly as Italy grapples with a declining workforce and an aging population. Since 2005, the total value of remittances from Sicily has surged by 126%, with the province of Siracusa taking the lead. From 2005 to…

German state leaders recently met in Leipzig to discuss the country’s high numbers of asylum seekers and to find ways to better control migration. They agreed on a plan to increase border checks, speed up deportations, and make migration rules stricter. Although they did not agree on all ideas, they stressed that the number of people seeking asylum is “still too high” and that more action is needed. The leaders’ meeting on October 25 included representatives from Germany’s 16 federal states. Together, they reviewed a 15-point plan on border control and migration. While they could not agree on every point,…