Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

In the olive fields north of Sfax, Tunisia, Emmanuel Kebua Akale Ebäi’s frustration echoes the sentiments of thousands of African migrants facing dire circumstances. Forced to flee civil unrest in Cameroon’s anglophone regions, Emmanuel and his family, like many others, sought refuge in Tunisia, only to find themselves stranded in makeshift camps amid the olive groves. Scattered makeshift camps have emerged in the countryside since late summer 2023 when Tunisian authorities cleared central Sfax of migrants, leaving them with no choice but to seek shelter in the fields. These camps, lacking basic amenities such as electricity and clean water, have…

The New York City Council has taken a proactive step in response to the ongoing migrant influx by assembling a specialized team comprising seasoned city government officials. Tasked with devising effective strategies to assist new arrivals in integrating into society, this initiative comes after nearly two years of grappling with the ramifications of increased migration. Announced during her recent State of the City Address, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams introduced the New Arrivals Strategy Team, consisting of a diverse array of experts including city government veterans, service providers, nonprofit leaders, funders, City Council staff, and immigrant New Yorkers. Over the…

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and IKEA Supply AG have formalized a partnership agreement aimed at bolstering the protection of migrant workers employed throughout IKEA’s global supply chain. The collaboration, signed yesterday, underscores a shared commitment to upholding migrant rights and fostering sustainable development. Elizabeth Warn, Global Head of Labour Mobility at IOM, emphasized the critical role of migrant rights in strengthening economies. The partnership with IKEA Supply AG is poised to enhance migrant well-being by combining IOM’s expertise in responsible business practices with IKEA’s expansive supply chain network. The collaboration will focus on capacity-building initiatives to promote ethical…

Spain is set to introduce a mandatory distribution system for immigrant minors across all its regions in response to the significant migratory challenges faced by the Canary Islands. Representatives from seven ministries convened on Tuesday to establish a unified approach and equitable distribution of the migrant burden, as reported by Euractiv’s partner EFE. Accoring to the Spanish Interior Ministry, the Canary Islands have experienced a surge in migrant arrivals, with 7,270 migrants arriving in January alone, traveling in 110 precarious boats. This influx surpasses the total number of arrivals during the entire first half of 2023, highlighting the urgent need…

In a joint effort, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and 48 other humanitarian and development organizations, alongside governments, are rallying for USD 112m to provide critical support to over 2.1 million migrants and host communities traversing the perilous Eastern and Southern migration routes. The appeal, made during a donor briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, underscores the urgent need to address the escalating humanitarian crisis affecting migrants in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, and Tanzania. The call for funds follows a tragic incident off the coast of Djibouti, where at least 38 migrants, including children, perished when their boat capsized after…

A tragic discovery unfolded off the coast of Brazil as a drifting boat carrying nine decomposed bodies was found, raising concerns about the perils faced by migrants attempting the treacherous journey from Africa to Europe. Brazilian authorities, after inspecting the boat towed ashore by fishermen in the state of Pará, concluded that the victims were likely migrants from the African countries of Mauritania and Mali. The boat’s journey, spanning over 2,600 miles from the Mauritanian coast, underscores the extreme risks associated with migration across the Atlantic. Many such vessels embark from Mauritania with the hope of reaching Europe, particularly Spain’s…

In a show of solidarity and advocacy, Black immigrants from various backgrounds converged near New York City Hall to bring attention to systemic racial, religious, and language inequities within the city’s shelter and immigrant support systems. Despite being scheduled to accommodate only a fraction of attendees, over 1,500 immigrants, predominantly from Guinea, gathered in City Hall Park during a hearing focused on racial disparities. The City Council deliberated on proposals aimed at addressing these issues, including initiatives to enhance data collection on migrants accessing city services and urging the federal government to eliminate or reimburse immigration application fees. Council members…

French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement on Monday heralded the successful culmination of a high-level conference convened in Paris. At the conference, pledges exceeding €2 billion ($2.1 billion) were gathered to address the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan. This achievement underscores the international community’s collective commitment to providing essential aid and relief to the Sudanese population amidst escalating crises. The conference, attended by prominent diplomats from France, Germany, and the European Union, saw the participation of key figures, including French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell, and Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic. Notably,…

The Canary Islands are set to adopt tougher measures against illegal short-term rentals, with plans to bolster enforcement through police support, as concerns over the proliferation of listings on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com continue to mount. Recent incidents, such as the shutdown of a rooftop campsite rented out through Airbnb in Tenerife, exemplify the region’s crackdown on unauthorized short-term lets. The move comes in response to escalating grievances from residents struggling to afford housing amid soaring rental prices and hotels facing unfair competition and regulatory evasion by short-term rental operators. With a draft law expected to pass this year,…

The recent data released by the border agency Frontex indicates a notable decline in the total number of undocumented migrants crossing into the EU, marking a 12% decrease compared to last year. This decline is primarily attributed to a significant drop in detections of crossings along the Central Mediterranean route, previously one of the busiest migrant routes into the EU. From January to March of this year, approximately 11,400 individuals were recorded as having traveled via the Central Mediterranean route, starkly contrasting the figures from the previous year. The decline in activity on this route is particularly noteworthy, considering it…