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The organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported this Thursday that it has suspended its medical and humanitarian activities in Darién, the dangerous natural border between Colombia and Panama used daily by hundreds of migrants on their way to North America, by “order” from the Panamanian government in the absence of a “current agreement”.
“Since Monday, March 4, the medical-humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was forced to suspend all medical activities for the migrant population in Darién by order of Panamanian authoritieswho claim that MSF does not currently have a collaboration agreement with the Ministry of Health”indicates a statement from the organization.
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They claim they have “I tried in vain to obtain the aforementioned renewal since October 2023.”
In the statement, MSF noted that they are “extremely concerned about the consequences that the suspension has on the migrant population”, good “On average, every month, medical teams provide physical and psychological health care to almost 5,000 people, with special emphasis on survivors of sexual violence.”
They indicated that “During the year 2023, 676 migrants received full medical assistance after suffering an act of this type on the migratory route; and in January 2024 alone, MSF registered another 120 cases” It is “In February, the organization again reported an increase in brutal attacks and sexual violence in the jungle.”
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Furthermore, they highlighted that “given the clear health needs, which have increased exponentially in the last three years, MSF is confident of being able to resume medical care in Darien as quickly as possible”, since “The suspension also coincides with the expected increase in the number of migrants in Panama this week, after boat transport resumed in Colombia after a few days of being backed up.”
Darien It is the jungle that separates Panama from Colombiafull of dangers: wild animals, the presence of armed groups and the tropical climate itself make transit even more difficult for the hundreds of migrants who cross it daily on their way to the United States or Canada.
Only so far this year, More than 68,400 migrants crossed the Darién, around 22,673 more than in the same period last yearas recently reported by Panamanian authorities, who expect an increase of up to 20% in the number of people crossing the jungle.
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The increase in migrants across the Darién on their way to the US or Canada in search of better living conditions has been progressive since 2021, reaching a record number of more than 520,000 in 2023, double the previous year.
Panama registers migrants upon arrival at indigenous populations at the exit from the jungle or at migration reception centers (shelters) where they receive shelter and food, and then coordinates their departure by bus to Costa Rica, a trip that is They must pay for it themselves same.
However, the Panamanian authorities have toughened their speech regarding the transit of migrants through the jungle and insist that it is an organized crime “business”, even stating that the gangs profited 820 million dollars last year from the imposition of taxes to cross the Darién.
Source: Elcomercio
I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.
