In 2013, migration in the Middle East and North Africa took place against the background of numerous acute and protracted crises, political transitions, demographic disparities, and uneven labour supply and demand. Migration flows in the region are complex in nature and often result in significant vulnerabilities for migrants, who may be escaping conflict, severe economic hardship, famine or drought; who may be victims of exploitation or unaccompanied migrant children; or who may be forced to return involuntarily to their countries of origin or who have become stranded. 



The 2013 annual report on IOM’s work in the Middle East and North Africa is organized along the eight-point agenda for action issued by the UN Secretary General at the second UN High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development at the UN General Assembly in October 2013. In two additional chapters, the report covers IOM’s promotion of rights-based and effective migration governance and border management and IOM’s work in disaster and conflict prevention, emergency response and the provision of long-term solutions. 



The report also contains a comprehensive statistical overview of IOM’s activities in the region in 2013.