- The organization highlighted that they have had to “redouble efforts” in the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Veracruz | Photo: EFE
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned on Wednesday, November 13, of its concern about the “drastic” increase in caravans of migrants arriving in Mexico through the country’s southern border.
According to the organization, they have had to “redouble efforts” in the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Veracruz, where groups of hundreds of migrants cross the territory on their way to the US border.
The violence to which young people, boys, girls, women and men of all ages are exposed as they pass through Mexico, including kidnappings, extortion or sexual violence, forces them to travel in caravans as a protection mechanism,” denounced Ricardo Santiago, coordinator of MSF projects in southern Mexico.
Santiago asserted that “the caravans are becoming more and more multitudinous,” because if in the month of September they were counted in the hundreds, now the count is in the thousands.
Eight caravans in less than a month
MSF teams carried out 855 medical consultations after assisting in the arrival of eight caravans made up of around 5,000 people between September 24 and November 8, six of them in the last three weeks, and which had originally left the city of Tapachula. , on the border with Guatemala.
Furthermore, in the coming days the authorities expect the formation of new massive caravans and their transit through different parts of southern Mexico, says the NGO.
Apart from violence, other factors that lead migrants to group together in caravans are the saturation of services to process refugee applications in Mexico, the high demand for asylum applications through the US CBP-One system and the delay in the answers,” explained Santiago.
MSF interventions occurred in the towns of Santiago Niltepec, La Venta, Sayula de Alemán and Huixtla, and among the people served were patients with acute respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, skin and gastrointestinal conditions due to the consumption of non-potable water, long walks and high temperatures.
In addition, the organization collects testimonies of the psychological impact suffered by the people who make up these human caravans as a result of their traumatic experience.
“We witness every day the suffering and invisibility of the migrant population and the impact on their physical and mental health. At MSF we insist on the need to address the consequences of violence, provide safe migration routes and reinforce the basic services available to people on the move,” stressed the coordinator for projects in Tapachula, Daniel Bruce.
With information from EFE
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What are the main factors contributing to the increase in migrant caravans in Mexico?
### Surge in Migrant Caravans in Mexico
Recent reports highlight a significant increase in the number of migrant caravans in Mexico, particularly noted by representatives from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Santiago has indicated that “the caravans are becoming more and more multitudinous,” revealing a troubling trend where the count has escalated from hundreds in September to thousands by early November.
#### Eight Caravans in Less Than a Month
Since September 24, eight caravans comprising approximately 5,000 individuals have been recorded, with six of these caravans arriving within just three weeks. These groups predominantly originated from Tapachula, a city located on the Guatemalan border. MSF teams have responded to this situation, conducting 855 medical consultations to address the needs of the migrants.
Authorities anticipate the formation of additional large-scale caravans, which could further complicate the already tense situation in southern Mexico, a claim supported by the observations of the NGO.
#### Factors Driving Migration
Santiago also noted that beyond violence, several factors contribute to the increasing tendency of migrants to travel in groups. These include:
– Overwhelmed services for processing refugee applications in Mexico.
– High demand for asylum applications through the U.S. CBP-One system.
– Delays in responses to asylum applications.
These elements create an environment that compels migrants to seek safety and stability en masse.
#### Health Concerns Among Migrants
MSF has provided medical assistance in various towns, including Santiago Niltepec, La Venta, Sayula de Alemán, and Huixtla. Migrants have presented with a range of health issues, including:
– Acute respiratory diseases.
– Musculoskeletal problems.
- Skin and gastrointestinal conditions linked to the consumption of non-potable water.
– Health complications arising from long walks and exposure to high temperatures.
This situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support and humanitarian intervention to aid these vulnerable populations.
Photo: EFE/ Juan Manuel Blanco
As the dynamics of migration in the region evolve, ongoing monitoring and response will be critical to alleviate the humanitarian crises faced by those on the move.
