More than 30,000 migrant children cross the Darien in four months

The Darién jungle, located on the border between Colombia and Panama, saw more than 30,000 children pass who migrated north during the first four months of 2024, the UN Children’s Fund reported this Wednesday (UNICEF).

The figure represents a 40% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and, if the trend continues, it would mean that 160,000 children and adolescents would make the risky journey by the end of the year.

The total number of migrant minors through the Darien Gap would reach 34% more than last year, when the number reached 113,000.

Child migration would thus spin the fifth consecutive year of record levelsUNICEF noted.

Prolonged crisis

The crossing of migrants through the Darien has become a prolonged crisis, said the agency, which estimates that 800,000 people will travel through that jungle this year and that many of them will require emergency humanitarian aid.

The deputy director of UNICEF recalled that many children have died during the arduous and dangerous journey and emphasized that Darién is not a place for minors.

“There are women who give birth along the way, bringing new life to the world in the most difficult circumstances,” said Ted Chaiban, adding that numerous migrants who survive the journey arrive sick, hungry and dehydratedoften with wounds or infections and in desperate need of support.

A fifth of migrants are children

A fifth of the migrants through the Darien are children and Their number is growing five times faster than that of adults.

The organization specified that of the 30,000 children who had crossed until April, 2,000 were alone or separated from their familiesand warned that this category of migrant children tripled compared to the same period in 2023.

heartbreaking stories

Chaiban stated that the stories of the children and parents who have made the trip are “incredibly heartbreaking,” and cited the case of Esmería, an eleven-year-old Venezuelan girl whom he met last month in the community of Bajo Chiquito. The little girl was separated from her mother during the crossing through the jungle, where she had to cross swollen rivers, pass by wounded and hungry people, and suffer with fear the darkness of the night. Esmería was hungry after not eating for two days, she had not studied for months and she hoped that her mother would arrive soon to follow her path.

“No child should have to experience or witness these things.”, he pointed out, emphasizing that UNICEF’s presence and response are more important than ever. “It is essential to have the necessary resources so that we can care for children, regardless of their country of origin or destination,” she said.

Request for funds without response

In 2024, UNICEF appealed for $7.64 million to alleviate the urgent needs of the growing number of children and families in transit in Panama. Until now it has received only 10% of those funds.

In this sense, the deputy director emphasized the growing dangers and unmet needs of children and called for ensuring that none of them are left behind. “If the response is underfunded, the scope will be limited.”, he stressed.

UNICEF’s work consists of provision of water, sanitation and hygiene at critical points along the well-known migratory route. It also offers child protection, child and maternal care and help in managing cases of gender violence.

Furthermore, the organism supports ten host communities through which migrants pass.

The agency explained that since 2018 it has assisted children on the move in Darién and Panama with its own resources and the support of the United States and the European Union.