Facts and Figures (Global)
Appeal Request
USD 3 billion
IOM Operational reach in emergencies
37 million people
Countries with IOM Crisis-Related Responses⠀
111
Persons in Need
1.7 millon

Conflicts, armed violence, disasters, epidemics, pandemics and other crises force millions of people to leave their homes and communities, sometimes for years or even decades. More than 82 million people are currently living in displacement within and across borders with disasters displacing around 25 million on average each year. Economic downturns, political instability and other drivers also compel large population movements.

Over the past decade, IOM has emerged as one of the world’s largest humanitarian actors, with huge relief operations underway in virtually every major humanitarian setting. We respond to forced migration and large-scale population movements, including protracted internal and cross-border displacement and refugee situations. Within the Organization’s structure, these activities fall under the remit of the Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE).

In addition, DOE oversees individual specialized projects related to humanitarian principles, protection mainstreaming, prevention of violent extremism and prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation.

IOM’s emergency, post-conflict and recovery activities focus on the needs of individuals and uprooted communities, thereby contributing to their protection. They are addressed in all phases of IOM’s Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF): pre-crisis preparedness, emergency response and post-crisis recovery.

The region covered by IOM’s Vienna Region Office is, mainly, made up of countries which are economically and institutionally able to respond to emergencies. However, the ongoing conflicts and violence within and near the region (Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq) underline the need to provide emergency assistance, as well as durable and sustainable solutions, for conflict-affected populations. There are also several frozen conflicts in the region which have left people displaced for many years. Much of the region is prone to rapid-onset natural disasters such as flash floods, as well as slow-onset disasters related to climate change, such as protracted droughts, harsher winters, desertification and even technical disasters. All these serve to make preparedness, disaster risk-reduction and community stabilization measures essential.

An overview of our activities is available through the emergencies brochure.