Official statements from the Panamanian government or credible news reports

109,000 Cross Darién Gap in 2024; Child Migration Hits Record for Fifth Straight Year

May 15, 2024, 03:44 PM

Panama reported that approximately 109,000 people crossed the Darién Gap, a perilous jungle between Central and South America, in the first three months of 2024. This marks a 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year. UNICEF highlighted that child migration through the Darién Gap has surged by 40% this year, with over 30,000 children making the dangerous journey in the first four months of 2024. Nearly 2,000 of these children were unaccompanied or separated from their families. UNICEF’s Ted Chaiban emphasized the growing dangers and unmet needs faced by these children. The increase in child migration is set to hit a record for the fifth straight year.