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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Huge Rise in Child Migrants Crossing Dangerous Panama Jungle, Says UN |
| 2021-03-31 |
| [AnNahar] The number of US-bound migrant children crossing the dangerous Darien jungle in Panama on foot has increased more than 15-fold in recent years and is likely to rise further during the pandemic, the UN children's agency warned on Monday. Children accounted for just two percent of these The Darien Gap jungle, the only land corridor between Colombia and Panama, is "one of the most dangerous routes in the world due to the mountainous terrain, wildlife and insects, as well as the presence of criminal organizations," the agency added. Michael Yon has been reporting from there. War correspondent he may be, but he finds the gap quite upsetting. Crossing the vast, roadless Darien Gap rainforest is the only option for US-bound "I've seen women step out of the jungle carrying their babies in their arms after walking for more than seven days without water, food or any kind of protection," said Jean Gough, UNICEF regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Over the past four years, more than 46,500 In 2019, a peak of nearly 4,000 children made the crossing. Half of them were under five years old and many arrive injured and with serious physical and psychological problems. Experts believe more and more "These families are pushing their own limits and putting their lives in danger, often without realizing how much of a risk they are taking. Those who manage to eventually cross this perilous border are physically and mentally devastated," Gough added. Migration across the dangerous jungle is likely to increase in the next months due to the economic crisis and unemployment generated by the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with violence and climate change, UNICEF said. Related from Michael Yon: Children in Great Danger: Madeisy Contacted us 11 hours ago: 10 Dead, 10 raped, according to Madeisy. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |