Irregular migrant arrivals to Spain drop by more than half in April

THE amount of irregular migrant arrivals in Spain fell by 52 per cent in April compared to the same month last year, according to UN figures.

The UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said a total of 820 people arrived irregularly in Spain last month, down from 1,706 in April 2018.

Spanish government sources told the media the fall was due in part to help from Morocco. A large number of migrants travel through the North African country to reach Spain.

It comes as Madrid and Rabat have agreed to co-operate more closely to help deal with migration. Spain has also lobbied the EU on Morocco’s behalf to secure more support for its border agencies.

People from the Middle East and Africa are continuing to flee their home countries due to conflict, persecution, as well as environmental and economic problems.

More than 7,834 migrants arrived in Spain up to the end of April, according to IOM figures. More than 65,325 came to the country last year, compared to 28,707 in 2017.