UN Report: Child Migration Through Darién Gap Surges by 40%, Expected to Reach 160,000

May 15, 2024, 08:21 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, marking a 14% increase from the same period last year. UNICEF highlighted a significant rise in child migration through this route, with over 30,000 children crossing in the first four months of 2024. Nearly 2,000 of these children were unaccompanied or separated from their families. The number of child migrants has surged by 40% this year and is expected to set a record for the fifth consecutive year. According to a UN report, the number of minors crossing the Darien Gap is on pace to rise by 34% to reach 160,000 this year.