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Human Rights in Panama's Darien Gap
By Kim Lamberty

Last week Quixote Center, together with our partners, Red Franciscana ([link removed]) para Migrantes, organized and led a delegation of immigration attorneys, policy experts and human rights defenders to Panama. We traversed the entire length of the country to encounter and understand the migrant experience, beginning with the treacherous Darien Gap.

The migrants and local Panamanians we spoke with detailed extreme levels of sexual violence, extortion, robbery, and murder in the Darien. Children report seeing dead bodies. The local community told us that Columbian cartels control the Darien crossing. They report that the current charge for crossing it safely is up to $1200. Those who cannot pay and emerge alive often lose everything along the way.

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Panama Report on Use of Funds

Quixote Center has provided financial support to the Panama Team of the Franciscan Network on Migration since 2022. Our work is focused on strengthening their capacity to respond to the human needs of migrants when they reach Panama.

From June to December 2023 they spent $13,500 in funds from the Quixote Center. These funds were used for:

* Salaries, internet, and supplies for the Medalla Milagrosa migrant shelter, to receive migrants with medical and other special needs;
* Funeral costs to assist migrants who lost family members;
* Humanitarian kits for migrants exiting the Darien on foot;
* Travel expenses for meetings and other business from Panama City to Medalla Milgrosa and to the Darien.
The team reports these accomplishments:
* Medalla Milagrosa received more than 600 migrants in extreme need, providing food, shelter, health care, psychological care, and economic assistance.
* The meal program at Paso de Canoas served 5000 people.
* The Zapallel community outside of Darien distributed 900 humanitarian kits.
* The Panama Team strengthened alliances and partnerships with other organizations in Panama.
The Team is continuing this work in 2024, with plans to establish a migrant services office and to strengthen their advocacy in defense of the rights of migrants with the Panamanian government.

 

Quixote Center is Hiring!

The Quixote Center is looking to hire a Program Manager.

If you or someone you know might be interested in this position- check out the job posting.

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Artist Corner

Jenin Yaseen
Artist, Activist, Daydreamer

Jenin Yaseen is a 26 year old artist born in Palestine. At the age of 10, Jenin moved to the United Arab Emirates where she began studying at Rak International Academy in Dubai.

Jenin is currently residing in Dearborn, Michigan where she continues to pursue art and activism for Palestinians.
* See more of her work HERE ([link removed]).
* Visit her Instagram HERE ([link removed]).
* Visit her Twitter HERE ([link removed]).

 

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