About the Asia Regional Hub

As part of the MMC global network, MMC Asia works towards the objectives of the MMC by engaging in data collection, research, analysis and policy development on mixed migration.

MMC Asia’s main activity to date has been 4Mi data collection among Afghans on the move in Afghanistan, Europe and South/Southeast Asia. 4Mi has expanded more recently to include data collection on the movements of other groups of migrants and refugees across Southeast Asia. 4Mi data collection is currently taking place in Turkey, Indonesia and Malaysia. Data collection in Afghanistan is currently on hold.

Mixed Migration in Asia

Asia is characterized by fast evolving and complex population movements, including the large-scale and often irregular movement of migrants and refugees. Across the region, weak legal protection frameworks result in migrants and refugees often being categorized as “irregular” or “illegal” migrants, subjecting them to measures including arrest, detention and deportation as well as increasing their risk of exploitation. Throughout the region many take great risks to escape life-threatening situations, such as conflicts, violence, discrimination or natural disasters, embarking on perilous journeys by land or sea. Others, motivated in search of better opportunities, migrate to work in often dangerous, dirty and demeaning (3D) jobs, exposing them to risks such as exploitation and trafficking. Regardless of their motivations for migration, people moving in mixed flows across Asia travel along similar routes and engage similar means, often travelling irregularly with the assistance of smugglers.