Leading a group of immigration lawyers and policy experts to the Darien Gap, to bear witness to the migrant experience and support our partners here. Last week there was a fire at the main reception camp so the 1000 to 2000 people who exit the Darien Gap daily have to go to the place in the photos, with room for about 200.
Those who can come up with $100 per person immediately jump on government buses to Costa Rica. Those who cannot get stuck in the camp until they can find someone to wire them the money. The Darien crossing is notorious for being under the control of Colombian cartels. Doctors Without Borders recently released a report documenting extreme levels of sexual violence, against women, men, and children. Those who emerge alive often lose everything. Then they face the government camp.
Our work is to contribute to strengthening our local partners so they can exercise influence over their own government and try to bring humanity and dignity to a situation of extreme trauma. Today was rough. I'm out of words. -Kim Lamberty |