The Colombian Ombudsman warned that the closure of border crossings in the Darien, by the Panamanian authorities, might lead to an increase in endemic diseases such as congenital syphilis, chikungunya, dengue and leptospirosis in Colombia. Every week, thousands of migrants pass through this dangerous route to North America.
According to a report issued by this government agency, human rights violations were identified due to the land closure of the border between Colombia and Panama, carried out by the Central American country at several points in the Darien Gap. This closure has had a negative impact on the health of the inhabitants of nine border municipalities in Colombia, where approximately 480,000 people reside.
Closure of border crossings in Darien
“If the number of people on the move were to increase, the hospital network would collapse, which is why the human rights institution urges the National Government and municipal and departmental health authorities to implement measures to prevent a possible increase in pathologies,” the Ombudsman’s Office stressed.
According to this scenario, if the closures caused between 10% and 20% of migrants to decide to settle in the Urabá-Darién region, there would be an increase in population, mainly in the municipalities of San Juan de Urabá, Arboletes and San Pedro de Urabá.
(With information from EFE)
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2024-07-14 11:27:42
