Sun Oct 13 09:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Darien Gap: A Perilous Passage for Migrants, as Humanitarian Crisis Worsens

**Panama City, Panama (October 11, 2024)** – The Darien Gap, the treacherous jungle border between Colombia and Panama, remains one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, with increasing numbers risking their lives to cross it. This surge in migration, driven by rising displacement from Venezuela and limited legal pathways, is fueling a humanitarian crisis that is worsening despite efforts to deter migration.

According to a new report by Refugees International, based on a recent research trip, migrant crossings through the Darien Gap have skyrocketed in recent years, with a record 520,000 people crossing in 2023. This year, Venezuelans make up a majority of the migrants, driven by political repression and economic hardship following the July 2024 elections.

**Deterrence Measures and Increased Exploitation:**

The new Panamanian government, in collaboration with the U.S., is implementing stricter migration policies, including repatriation flights and barbed wire fencing along the border. These measures, while aiming to deter migration, are not preventing crossings and are leading to increased exploitation and harm for migrants.

**Humanitarian Landscape Shrinking:**

Migrants who successfully traverse the Darien Gap are now facing a shrinking humanitarian landscape. The temporary reception stations in Panama, which initially provided basic services, are now overcrowded and understaffed, with services like medical care and money transfer facilities being significantly curtailed.

The bussing program, a joint initiative between Panama and Costa Rica, facilitates faster movement northward but leaves many migrants without access to humanitarian services until reaching Costa Rica. The Emi Sur reception station in Costa Rica, while intended to provide a consolidated humanitarian response, is also struggling to meet the growing needs, facing issues with food shortages, limited healthcare, and inadequate shelter options.

**Lack of Safe Pathways:**

The report highlights the inadequacy of existing legal pathways to the United States for the majority of migrants traversing the Darien Gap. While the Safe Mobility Office (SMO) program in Colombia offers pathways for some Venezuelan migrants, it excludes those who have recently fled Venezuela. The CHNV program, which provides parole for Venezuelan migrants, is also facing challenges due to stringent documentation requirements and a limited monthly cap.

**Recommendations for a More Humane Response:**

The report outlines key recommendations to address the humanitarian crisis in the Darien Gap, urging:

* **Expand access to legal status and economic inclusion in South American countries, particularly Venezuela.**
* **Improve existing pathways to the United States, making the SMO program more accessible and increasing the monthly cap on CHNV paroles.**
* **Increase funding and support for humanitarian services in both Panama and Costa Rica.**
* **Ensure that the bussing program from Panama to Costa Rica is more equitable and accessible to vulnerable migrants.**
* **Develop a more comprehensive humanitarian response in Costa Rica, including providing adequate shelter and safe spaces.**
* **Strengthen collaboration and coordination between international organizations, governments, and NGOs to address the humanitarian needs of migrants.**

The report stresses the need for a more coordinated and humane approach to migration management, emphasizing the importance of respecting the basic human rights of migrants while working towards orderly movement.

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