Irregular migration can be a dangerous, degrading process that deprives migrants of their intrinsic worth and rights as human beings. Too often, on the routes through Africa and across the Mediterranean, human smugglers, traffickers and others take advantage of migrants who are fleeing violence, the impacts of climate change, or are desperate to make a better living for themselves and their families. To reduce the number of people putting their lives at risk, increased regular, safe and legal migration channels are needed.

The EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration was developed to save lives, protect and assist migrants along migration routes, making sure that their rights are not only respected, but that they can access essential support and services. Far from stopping migration or dwelling on migrant numbers, the Initiative aims to ensure that the migration journey is safer, well-informed and better managed from the perspective of both migrants and their communities.

This booklet brings together stories and testimonies from our partners and the people we serve, highlighting some of the key achievements of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative to date.