The Spanish government has approved a funding package of €646,535 to support programs carried out in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), according to the Official State Gazette. The main component is a voluntary return program for vulnerable migrants stranded in Morocco, alongside measures aimed at strengthening border management. Under the agreement signed with the Ministry of the Interior, the full amount will be transferred in a single payment, with the programs running until the end of 2026. Of the total, €346,535 will go to the voluntary return initiative from Morocco, while €300,000 is earmarked for the GEFMES VI program, which focuses on boosting Spain's capacity to manage migration flows, an especially sensitive issue in the Almería region. The document notes that Morocco has become a central transit country for thousands of sub-Saharan migrants trying to reach Europe. While overall crossings to Europe fell by 29% between 2023 and 2024, arrivals to Spain increased from 55,618 to 61,323, mainly via the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean route, which continues to put pressure on eastern Andalusia. It also highlights that thousands of migrants remain stranded in Morocco. In 2024, the IOM assisted 2,196 voluntary return operations from the country. The new project foresees support for 100 migrants within Morocco, including counseling, care, accommodation, and emergency assistance, followed by reintegration support for 70 returnees in their countries of origin, with up to €1,400 per adult and €700 per minor.
