To meet migrants is to meet Christ. This was the confirmation after intense days in Necoclí, on the shores of the Colombian Caribbean Sea, which hosted from July 22 to 26, the experiential workshop “Walking Together in the Darién”, organized by Red Clamor and in which Cáritas América Latina y Caribe participated through its communicator Marcus Neto. This event brought together communicators and advocacy managers from various organizations to analyze and experience up close the migratory reality in the Darién region.

During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to get closer to the reality experienced by migrants in Colombian and Panamanian territory, in addition to immersing themselves in the migratory experience through direct coexistence with migrants, listening to them and sharing their reality.

Day with migrants

A highlight of the workshop was the day dedicated to living with migrants in Necoclí, many who are ready to cross into the Darién jungle and some who have been in the region for a long time, one of the most challenging migratory routes in Latin America and who, for the most part, want to reach the United States. This experience allowed for a deeper understanding of the challenges and hopes that accompany migrants on their journey.

The Selacc communicator, Marcus Neto, who participated in the workshop, shared his experience.

This workshop not only allowed me to understand the magnitude of the migratory phenomenon in Darién, with its sufferings, but also taught the importance of solidarity and empathy in our work as communicators. For my part, I leave with the commitment to continue making the stories of these brave migrants visible. What moved me most was the reality of childhood. The vast majority of families I met had at least one or two children. What we hear, both from experts and from the migrants themselves, is that the journey, especially the journey through the jungle, is very exhausting. Since then, I have not stopped thinking about the children who often do not have enough preparation to do so and who are not fully aware of what they are experiencing.

Political advocacy

At the end of the workshop, a public hearing was held with the Second Commission of the House of Representatives. This advocacy event brought together participants and the local community with Colombian congressmen and representatives of public bodies and was crucial in generating a direct dialogue on the need to formulate public policies that guarantee the protection of their human rights and compliance with Colombia's international commitments. The Clamor Network, representing various organizations, made an urgent call for the implementation of policies that protect and promote the rights of migrants in the region.

The objective of the hearing was to make visible the complex humanitarian situation of mixed movements: migrant and refugee populations in the region, especially children and adolescents.

Necoclí, as the starting point of many migratory routes, has become an epicenter of vulnerabilities. The hearing will allow through dialogue:

• Evince on the ground: The living conditions, risks and specific needs of migrant and refugee populations.
• Socialize the findings and monitoring carried out by the CLAMOR Network on the issues of protection of children and adolescents, human rights, gender and migration, people in need of international protection, human trafficking and trafficking, and Colombia's participation in Cartagena+40.
• Strengthen coordination mechanisms between state entities, civil society and organizations for a comprehensive response to the migration crisis.
• Generate commitments with representatives for the adoption of urgent measures that contribute to the protection of the human rights of migrants and refugees in Colombia.
• Through this hearing, we sought to influence the definition of public policies that guarantee access to basic services, justice and protection, as well as make visible the situation of migrants and refugees. refugees in Colombia before public opinion and the media.

The Darién Gap

The migratory phenomenon of the Darién Gap is a historical situation in the region, which has been the focus of attention at various times. Since 2006, the first massive registrations have been presented, with a new surge between 2014 and 2016, due to the extreme vulnerability to which more than 4,000 people of Cuban, Haitian, African and Asian origin were exposed. This situation was aggravated by the damming in the municipality of Turbo and its surroundings, as a consequence of the border closure and immigration control imposed by the Panamanian government at that time.

According to data collected by the Panamanian government, more than 500,000 people crossed the Darién in 2023. The majority were people from Venezuela, Ecuador and Haiti, although more than 50 different nationalities have been registered. Furthermore, according to UNICEF data, in the first four months of 2024, more than 30,000 children and adolescents crossed this route, and at least 2,000 were identified as unaccompanied or separated minors.

According to institutional information, between January and June 2024, 214,781 people traveled through Turbo and Necoclí heading towards Darién. This movement has also increased the number of people in prolonged transit in these municipalities, with an average of 350 people in a beach situation in Necoclí and more than 380 people in a street situation in Turbo, with approximately 30% of this population being children and adolescents.

(Photos: Red Clamor)