International Organization for Migration Launches 2026 Global Appeal to Support 41 Million People on the Move.

Geneva; December 2025: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched its 2026 Global Appeal, requesting US$ 4.7 billion to assist 41 million people on the move and to reinforce the systems that make migration safe, orderly, and regular. The Appeal highlights a simple yet urgent reality: people move in search of protection, opportunity and stability, and these needs require sustained, principled support.

“Every day, people leave their homes in search of stability or better opportunities”, said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Through this Appeal, we are building on a collective vision, one where humanitarian support reaches people before crises escalate, where safer pathways replace dangerous journeys, and where communities are strengthened rather than stretched. These investments do more than address today’s challenges; they help shape a more stable, humane, and hopeful future for us all”.

Migration is unfolding in a world which is facing increasing and intersecting crises. One in four people live in fragile atmosphere marked by instability, conflict or disaster. By the end of 2024, it was 83.4 million people who were internally displaced due to conflict, violence, and disasters, while new emergencies continued to push communities beyond their coping capacity. In this context, voluntary, safe and dignified return and sustainable reintegration play an essential role in strengthening stability and supporting long-term development, providing governments with solutions that uphold rights while investing in resilient communities.

Climate shocks are intensifying these pressures. In 2024, disasters displaced 9.8 million people, which represents a 27% increase from 2023. Global economic losses reached US$ 242 billion. Irregular migration also continued to carry severe risks, with more than 5,500 deaths and disappearances recorded in 2025.

At the same time, migration is also driving resilience, innovation, and opportunity. More than 304 million people are international migrants, including 168 million workers whose skills sustain essential sectors and support communities worldwide. Migrants bolster economies, staff hospitals, support agriculture, and run small businesses. Remittances reached US$ 883 billion in 2024, demonstrating how safe and dignified migration strengthens development and stability.

In a context where needs are rising and resources are stretched, IOM’s Appeal calls for sharper prioritisation, flexible funding and more efficient systems to meet urgent needs while supporting long-term solutions. The Appeal is aligned with the Organisation’s three strategic pillars: saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating pathways for regular migration.

IOM is seeking US$ 1.5 billion to protect people on the move to ensure displaced families have access to shelter, clean water, medical care, protection and other essential services. This includes mobile health assistance in conflict-affected areas, temporary shelter after extreme weather events, and strengthened humanitarian supply chains, so aid reaches people quickly and safely.

To advance durable solutions, IOM is requesting US$ 1.5 billion to reduce risks, bolster community resilience and support governments in transitioning from crisis response to recovery. This work includes restoring livelihoods, helping local authorities plan safer settlements, using data and innovation to anticipate risks, and supporting national systems to withstand future shocks.

Approximately, US$ 1.3 billion will support safe and regular migration pathways, helping governments strengthen labour mobility, uphold migrants’ rights, and improve systems that generate shared benefits for societies and economies. This includes cooperation on voluntary, safe and dignified return, readmission and sustainable reintegration, as well as advancing a route-based approach to support governments in responding to complex movements with coherent, data-informed solutions.

With this Appeal, IOM urges governments, donors and partners to act with renewed commitment. The Organisation calls on the international community to invest in stability, safety and dignity for people on the move and for the communities that receive them, ensuring that migration becomes a driver of sustainable progress for all.

Team Maverick.