Global Migration Deaths Project

Columns

• index: An automatically generated numerical identifier for each unique entry within the dataset [4].
• Main ID: Another automatically generated numerical identifier, used to identify each unique entry in the dataset [4, 5].
• Incident ID: An automatically generated number specific to each unique incident recorded in the dataset [5].
• Region: Indicates the geographical region where a migration incident took place, such as North America or Northern Africa [5].
• Incident Date: The estimated date of death. If the precise date is unknown, this column records the date when bodies were found or the date reported by interviewees. At least the month and year are always recorded [5, 6].
• Year: The specific year in which the incident occurred, ranging from 2014 to 2021 [6].
• Reported Month: The month in which the incident occurred [7].
• Number Dead: The confirmed count of individuals who died in a single incident, representing bodies that have been recovered. This field is left blank if individuals are missing and presumed dead [7, 8].
• Minimum Estimated Number of Missing: The estimated count of individuals who are missing and presumed dead, typically recorded for incidents like shipwrecks. This is derived by subtracting the number of recovered bodies and survivors from the total reported on board [8, 9].
• Total Number of Dead and Missing: The combined sum of 'Number Dead' and 'Minimum Estimated Number of Missing' for each incident [9, 10].
• Number of Survivors: The known count of migrants who survived an incident. Additional details like age, gender, and country of origin may be noted in the 'Comments' field [10, 11].
• Number of Females: The count of females identified as dead or missing. This field is left blank if unknown [11, 12].
• Number of Males: The count of males identified as dead or missing. This field is left blank if unknown [12].
• Number of Children: The count of individuals under the age of 18 who are dead or missing. This field is left blank if unknown [12, 13].
• Cause of Death: Describes the determined conditions or circumstances that led to the migrant's death, such as drowning or other specific reasons [13, 14].
• Location of death: The specific place where death(s) occurred or where bodies were found, including nearby towns, cities, or borders where available [14, 15].
• Information Source: Identifies the office or organisation from which the incident information was obtained, such as the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner or Mixed Migration Monitoring Mechanism Initiative [15].
• Coordinates: Geographic coordinates indicating the location of death or body discovery. These are sometimes estimated, particularly for regions like the Mediterranean [15, 16].
• Migrantion route: The name of the migration route on which an incident occurred, if known, for example, the US-Mexico border crossing [16].
• URL: Provides links to the source information for the recorded incidents [16, 17].
• UNSD Geographical Grouping: The geographical region in which the incident took place, categorised according to the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) geoscheme [17].
• Source Quality: A ranking from 1 to 5 indicating the reliability and number of sources for the incident information. Level 1 is based on a single media source, while Level 5 is based on official government or multiple humanitarian sources [17, 18].

Distribution

Usage

• Monitoring tragic events related to migrant deaths and disappearances to help prevent their recurrence [19].
• Research and academic study into migration patterns, mortality rates, and the human impact of migration [1, 19].
• Informative reporting and media coverage on global migration crises and related advocacy [1].
• Policy development and advocacy efforts by governments and international organisations to address issues of crime and abuse along migration routes [1, 3].

Coverage

License

Who Can Use It

• Media professionals: For up-to-date information and compelling narratives on migration issues [1].
• Researchers and academics: For in-depth analysis of migration dynamics, mortality, and humanitarian crises [1].
• The general public: To gain a better understanding of the global challenges faced by migrants [1].
• Governments and policymakers: To inform strategies and initiatives aimed at protecting migrants and addressing related abuses [3].
• Advocacy groups and humanitarian organisations: To support their efforts in raising awareness and promoting action on migrant safety [1].

Dataset Name Suggestions

• Missing Migrants Global Tracker
• IOM Migrant Fatality Data
• Global Migration Deaths Project
• Migrant Deaths & Disappearances
• Fatal Journeys Database

Attributes