The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is seeking funds from governments, private sector companies and individual donors, according to the announcement.

The funding effort comes as the number of people forced to move reached 117 million by the end of 2022, including a record 71 million forcibly displaced within their own countries, IOM Director General Amy Pope said.

Illegal immigration and asylum have become contentious political issues in Europe, the United States and other nations in the past decade as more migrants have taken dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean and to the US-Mexico border. Full funding would allow IOM to serve almost 140 million people, Pope said. 

"It's increasingly clear those of us working in the humanitarian and development that the impact of climate on already very vulnerable community will be catastrophic unless policymakers and other actors start to take very urgent actions," Pope said.

Migration is a cornerstone of global development and prosperity, IOM said. Well-managed migration has the potential to advance development outcomes, contribute to climate change adaptation, and promote a safer and more peaceful, sustainable, prosperous and equitable future, it added.