Panama has directed Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to cease providing medical assistance to individuals who have migrated through the Darién Gap, a rapidly expanding and hazardous border crossing.
The MSF organization is a major nonprofit in the treacherous jungle region linking Colombia and Panama. The absence of their assistance could potentially create a gap in essential healthcare for at-risk migrants.
MSF expressed deep worry about the impact of the halt of our operations on individuals traveling through the Darién Gap, as stated in a media statement.
The Darien Gap is a 60-mile section of wet rainforest and the sole terrestrial pathway for migrants traveling north from South America to the USA.
Over 500,000 individuals, of which 113,000 were children, endangered themselves by crossing the rainforest by foot in the past year. This is a significant increase from the 24,000 total in 2019.
Urgent medical care is necessary in this area because it is extremely dangerous to walk through one of the most lawless and perilous regions on the planet. Last year, at least 48 people died while attempting to make the difficult week-long journey, with most of them drowning in rough rivers.
Organizations such as MSF often provide medical care to migrants for severe fungal infections, acute malnutrition, and diarrhea. However, the organization is now placing a greater emphasis on addressing the physical and mental needs of survivors of sexual violence, due to a recent increase in reported cases.
According to experts, the Panamanian government has not taken sufficient action to address the issue of armed gangs operating freely on the northern border, where they prey on migrants through acts of sexual assault and theft.
MSF is one of the largest civil society groups responding to the growing humanitarian crisis in the Darién and last year treated nearly 60,000.
Panama has been ordered to halt its operations due to an anticipated increase in migrants attempting to cross the border following a series of human trafficking arrests in Colombia which have caused congestion on the migration route.
The medical organization expressed significant worry over the impact of halting our operations on individuals traveling through the Darién Gap.
Organizations in the Darién region focused on civil society state they are unable to match the increasing number of individuals crossing the border.
The workload for medical personnel is increasing following the suspension of services by one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the area.
According to Bram Ebus at the International Crisis Group, Panama’s choice to prohibit MSF from carrying out operations places the well-being and safety of some of the most at-risk individuals in danger. This includes migrants, refugees, women, and children who have already endured a tremendous hardship by crossing the treacherous Darién Gap.
The medical organization known as MSF announced that it will cease operations in the area due to the Panamanian health ministry’s refusal to renew their agreement, despite several attempts made since October 2023.
Source: theguardian.com
