The number of Venezuelan migrants who have crossed the Darién Gap, in Panama, seeking refuge in other countries rose considerably in the first two months of 2022, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported on Tuesday.
“According to the statistics of the Panamanian authorities, the number of people from Venezuela who crossed the Darién Gap in the first two months of 2022 [alrededor de 2.500] almost added the total of 2021 [2.819 personas]”, reported the agency.
UNHCR also explained that part of this migratory flow is due to the “socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic” in several countries in the region.
The Darién Gap marks the border between Colombia and Panama, and stretches across 5,000 square kilometers of jungles, mountains, and rivers.
cross this region can take up to 10 days for people in a situation of greater vulnerability, who are exposed to natural threats and also to criminal groups that perpetrate violence, including sexual abuse or robbery”, warns UNHCR.
Both UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) urge in the release host countries “to maintain access to asylum procedures, expand regular stay options for refugees and migrants in vulnerable situations.”
According to UN data, to date more than 6 million Venezuelan migrants have applied for asylum or refuge in various parts of the world, the majority, almost 5 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, fleeing the serious economic crisis, violence and lack of handholds in Venezuela.
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