Addressing Irregular Migration through Principled Programmatic Approaches: Examining the West Africa Route and WFP Operations

Executive Summary

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) collaborated on research analysing the drivers, profile, and risks of irregular migration in the West Africa context. This study uses a route-based approach, examining the origin location of migrants, their transit experience, and situation in their respective protracted transit location or desired destination. Drawing on a mixed methods approach the study includes case studies in Mali and Libya, representing an analysis of the migration route of the Ténéré desert crossing of the south-central Sahara.
The overall analysis features the profiles of irregular migrants and the primary factors influencing their migration decisions. It also examines links between food insecurity and irregular migration to understand the risks and address the needs of this increasingly vulnerable population. This study accompanies related studies conducted in Central America, The Complex Motivations and Costs of Central American Migration, and At the root of exodus: Food security, conflict and international migration; to present a similar analysis for the West Africa region. This study is also supported by an additional analysis conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology focussed on a deep dive of protection risks migrants face.

Irregular migration from West Africa is a complex issue that drives tens of thousands of people to undertake perilous journeys (IOM 2020). The most important drivers are wage differentials and those seeking better economic opportunities, although political instability, conflict, and climate change are also contributing factors. The lack of legal and regular pathways for migration often leads to dangerous and deadly journeys across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, and ultimately, thousands perish in their pursuit of a better life. The Global Compact for Sage, Orderly, and Regular Migration endorsed by Member States and the UN in 2018, outlines eleven objectives, this study supports objectives 1, 2, and 7.

The International Organization for Migration defines irregular migration as migration that occurs outside of regulatory norms, and unlike refugees, irregular migrants do not have a formal status when crossing international borders (IOM 2011). Due to its clandestine nature, irregular migration flows are difficult to track. However, in 2020, the IOM estimated that there were over 9,000 deaths and disappearances of migrants worldwide, with many of these occurring along the routes taken by irregular migrants from West Africa to Europe. These figures only represent known cases, and the number of deaths and disappearances is likely higher.2 Irregular migrants rely on smugglers to navigate border crossings and treacherous routes to avoid immigration authorities.

Migration is an essential aspect of human development, and it is crucial to ensure irregular migrants who experience adverse shocks are treated with compassion and provided with the necessary support and resources to rebuild their lives safely and with dignity.

From a humanitarian perspective, migrants in transit and protracted transit situations lack basic services and protection. WFP’s Executive Board policy document: WFP’s commitment to the Humanitarian Principles3 (WFP/ EB.A/2004/5-C) reiterates the organization’s responsibility to address the food insecurity and malnutrition needs of vulnerable populations, regardless of location or situation.4 The 2020 Protection and Accountability Policy (WFP/EB.2/2020/4-A/1/Rev.2) furthers WFP’s approach to planning the design and delivery of its programmes and fosters the integration of protection and accountability across a range of functions critical to WFP operations so as to ensure that food assistance is safe, appropriate and received in a dignified manner.