Leader of UN migration agency expresses concerns about potential interference of politics in funding and aid operations

The director-general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated that the agency has acquired a substantial amount of new funding and expanded its donor base, unlike some other U.N. groups facing financial challenges. Amy Pope, a former migration adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden who received his backing for her leadership of the IOM, emphasized the importance of addressing the complexities of migration and the risks migrants face on dangerous journeys.
Pope highlighted the necessity of taking a comprehensive approach to migration issues instead of narrowing it down to just one aspect of a migrant’s journey. She cautioned against simplifying the migration matter to merely border management, indicating the detrimental outcomes it could lead to due to prevailing political dynamics.
Under Pope’s leadership, the IOM launched its first-ever “global appeal” in January, aiming to raise nearly $8 billion to fund programs proactively preparing for migration flows. Funding sources for the appeal are diverse, including entities like development banks and technology giant Microsoft.
Pope mentioned that more than a third of the appeal has already been funded, while expressing concerns over other U.N. agencies facing funding shortages, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs dealing with crises like the war in Sudan. She has been advocating for recognizing the positive aspects of migration, such as the contributions migrants make to host countries and the remittances they send to their home countries.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by global elections on U.N. agencies, Pope emphasized the importance of securing a diverse range of donors to ensure continued support for IOM’s mission. She underlined the uncertainty surrounding the future backing from governments following political transitions.