Variety of unaccompanied migrant youngsters in Latin America and the Caribbean hits document excessive, UNICEF studies
A document variety of unaccompanied migrant minors have traveled by way of Latin America and the Caribbean this yr, in line with estimates from UNICEF, the United Nations youngsters’s company.
Some 3,800 youngsters migrated alone by way of the Darien Hole, a treacherous jungle route between Colombia and Panama in simply the primary 10 months of 2024. That is in contrast with 3,300 in all of 2023. Youngsters characterize 1 / 4 of migrants within the area, in line with UNICEF.
Of the migrants that traveled to the USA final yr, the Workplace of Refugee Resettlement dealt with over 118,000 unaccompanied minors.
U.N. officers are involved concerning the improve within the variety of youngsters touring alone by way of the area, stated Anne-Claire Dufay, UNICEF’s deputy regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Travelling alone, they expertise the next proportion of violence, together with sexual violence, abuse and exploitation, with detrimental results on their bodily and psychological well being and well-being,” Dufay stated.
Armed violence going through populations within the area not solely triggers migration, in line with UNICEF, however deprives youngsters of their rights and entry to very important companies like training and healthcare.
The U.N. estimates that 16 million youngsters within the area will want training, well being, and protecting companies in 2025 because of inner battle, violence and climate-related disasters — which may price $819.8 million.
Offering assist to Haitian youngsters alone would price $271.2 million, UNICEF estimates. Ongoing political turmoil and gang violence in Haiti has displaced tens of 1000’s from the nation’s capital in latest months, and armed gangs have more and more recruited youngsters, who in line with UNICEF now make up half these gangs’ members.
UNICEF is interesting to world governments and charitable organizations for a complete of over $9 billion subsequent yr to assist the wants of 109 million youngsters impacted by wars and varied crises around the globe.
