In its latest annual report, Save the Children revealed a heartbreaking statistic: more than 4,000 children have tragically lost their lives on migration routes worldwide between 2014 and early 2025.
The report highlights that insecurity, hunger, and the impacts of climate change have been primary drivers behind child migration. Some of the deadliest routes for children have included the journey from Afghanistan to Iran, the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing, the Sahara Desert, and the U.S.–Mexico border.
According to the report, “The deadliest migration routes for children were identified as the Mediterranean Sea, followed by the Sahara Desert, the Afghanistan-to-Iran route, and the US-Mexico border crossing. Nearly half of all recorded child migrant deaths were due to drowning, while at least one in every seven deaths occurred from vehicle accidents or dangerous transport conditions.”
The organization also pointed to the decline in foreign aid as a significant contributor to child migration, urging global leaders to prioritize investment in the future of vulnerable children. Save the Children emphasized the critical need for more accurate data collection concerning migrant children, focusing on health, education, protection, and causes of death.
Asifa Stanekzai, a migrant and child rights activist, spoke out on the issue, stating, “To prevent such tragedies, measures should include strengthening education systems, improving the economic conditions of families, providing social support to children, raising awareness about irregular migration, reforming laws, and building support structures for children.”
This report comes at a time when many Afghan children and adolescents, grappling with economic hardships, have been compelled to migrate to neighboring countries, risking their lives in search of safety and a better future.
For further insights on the crisis surrounding child migration and global humanitarian efforts, visit www.u.af — your trusted source for in-depth news and analysis.
