Migrant Smuggling Data and Research

migrants bound for Southern Africa, in close collaboration with governments and
organizations in the source, transit and destination countries (IOM, 2014a:11).
UNHCR flagged the protection needs of migrants as they face high risks of abuse
(sexual and physical), abduction and trafficking among others. The focus remains
at the national level on border control capacity and smuggling routes. IOM aims
to support the EAC by developing standard operating procedures that help to
detect migrant smuggling, human trafficking and trafficking of illicit goods along
the border crossing points in Eastern and Southern Africa (IOM, 2014a:13).
In Ethiopia, IOM proposed awareness-raising activities on migration
smuggling and human trafficking, including the rights of migrants. In Kenya, IOM
provided support in enhancing the security and safety of Kenya’s borders by
establishing an integrated border management system, building the capacities
of border officials to detect transnational crimes, such as migrant smuggling and
human trafficking (IOM, 2014:27).
To inform programming and policy debates, research gaps include the lack of
available data on the following:
• Capacity of smugglers to create the aspirations to migrate,
generating demand among populations, especially young men in
rural areas;
• Links with diaspora funding and “chain” migration from Eastern
Africa;
• Urban organization of smuggling networks, their links to corruption,
and the role of major hubs such as Nairobi in facilitating smuggling
in the region; and
• Abuses and the protection claims of smuggled migrants.
Acknowledging that smuggling can lead to trafficking and high
levels of violence will be needed to situate protection at the centre
of attention on smuggling in the region.
Research must continue to find innovative ways of collecting data on
migrant smuggling, identifying new routes or modes of transport to better
understanding the phenomenon. It should refocus its line of inquiry to look at
the political economy of smuggling, the emerging societal backlash through
xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, as well as policy initiatives that address
the “root causes” of migrant smuggling from the source country. However, it
is important to outline the loose nature of migrant smuggling networks that
are harder to dismantle. This will help to distinguish migrant smuggling from
Migrant Smuggling Data and Research:
A global review of the emerging evidence base
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