World Vision is present in the Darien jungle

In the last two months of 2023, between 1,500 and 2,000 people have crossed the Darien jungle daily, hoping to reach the northern part of the continent for a better life. Of the migrants, 21%  are girls, boys, and adolescents, many of them separated or unaccompanied - which puts them in more vulnerable situations - exposed to extreme challenges such as dehydration, hunger, injuries, abandonment, violence, and death.

The flow of migrants, nearly a quarter of a million people since the start of 2023, who have crossed the dangerous Darien jungle, is a pressing concern for World Vision. As a result of the growing and ongoing need, during the month of August, our "Panama Migration Response" intensified. At migrant assistance points, at the exit of Darien, we delivered 1,200 hygiene kits, including essential items to face their continued journey. Additionally, 400 pairs of shoes provided protection and comfort in a hostile terrain. To combat hunger, we distributed 2,000 cereal bars, providing nutrients to keep going.

World Vision, in collaboration with Churches in the Panama Initiative, has provided logistical support in delivery activities, mobilization, equipment, and training for volunteer teams from partner Faith-Based Organizations. Our assistance is not limited to Darien alone. In the northern part of the country, in Chiriqui, churches are joining our cause. Together, we will deliver 700 food rations, extending the impact of humanitarian aid to other vulnerable communities.

At World Vision, we are committed to migrant children and their families, and that's why we will continue working to mitigate the effects of irregular migration and its serious consequences.