Women, children and ethnic minorities typically constitute the most vulnerable groups of migrants as they are the most at risk of smuggling, human trafficking and violation of human rights. Children in migration, in particular, deserve and receive special international protection.

The most vulnerable – women, children, and migrants – remain disproportionately affected.

IOM's migrant vulnerability model was specifically developed to identify, protect and assist migrants who have experienced or are vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse – before, during or after migrating − and to guide the development and implementation of appropriate programmatic and structural interventions ...

Traffickers frequently target vulnerable populations, such as children, individuals without lawful immigration status, those with debts, and those who are isolated, impoverished, or disabled, to name a few.