Introduction
The migration crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean has reached an alarming new phase, with children increasingly at the center of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. According to UNICEF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Gary Conille, the region is witnessing an unprecedented rise in the number of children migrating, making up a larger proportion of the migrant population than in any other region globally. The drivers of this crisis are multifaceted, including escalating gang violence, the impacts of climate change, and deepening inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation demands urgent attention and decisive action to protect the most vulnerable—children who are being forced to leave behind their homes, families, and communities in search of safety and a better life.
Background and Historical Context
Migration has long been a feature of life in Latin America and the Caribbean. Historically, people in the region have moved in search of better economic opportunities, escaping political turmoil, or fleeing natural disasters. However, over the past decade, the nature of migration in the region has undergone a significant transformation. Today, it is not just adults, but a rapidly growing number of children, often accompanied by their families, who are making these perilous journeys. The reasons for this shift are complex and rooted in a confluence of factors that have been intensifying over time.
One of the most significant drivers of child migration is violence, particularly gang-related violence, which has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the region. Countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, known as the Northern Triangle, are among the most dangerous places in the world, with children often targeted by gangs for recruitment, extortion, or violence. The pervasive threat of violence leaves many families with no choice but to flee, often with little more than the clothes on their backs, in the hope of finding safety elsewhere.
Climate change is another critical factor pushing children and families to migrate. The region is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including hurricanes, droughts, and floods, which destroy homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure. In many cases, these disasters exacerbate existing inequalities, leaving already impoverished families with no means of survival except to migrate. The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded these challenges, pushing millions into poverty and creating new barriers to education, healthcare, and social services.
The Humanitarian Crisis
The scale of child migration in Latin America and the Caribbean is staggering. In the first half of 2023 alone, more than 40,000 children crossed the treacherous Darien Gap, a dense and dangerous stretch of jungle between Colombia and Panama, on their way to North America. This number matches the record set in the entire year of 2022, highlighting the rapidly worsening situation. The Darien Gap is one of the most perilous migration routes in the world, with migrants facing threats from wild animals, treacherous terrain, and criminal groups who exploit their vulnerability. For children, especially the youngest, the risks are even greater, yet more and more families are undertaking this journey out of desperation.
The proportion of children migrating along major routes in the region has also surged to unprecedented levels. Globally, children make up about 13 percent of the migrant population, but in Latin America and the Caribbean, this figure has risen to 25 percent—nearly double the global average. This trend is only matched by Sub-Saharan Africa, where children also account for 25 percent of migrants. Particularly alarming is the increase in the number of very young children migrating, with those under 11 years old now making up as much as 91 percent of all child migrants at key transit points.
This crisis is overwhelming the capacity of governments and humanitarian organizations to respond. National migration policies, which were often designed with adult migrants in mind, are struggling to adapt to the unique needs of children on the move. These children require special protection, access to education, healthcare, and psychosocial support, but the resources available to meet these needs are woefully inadequate.
UNICEF’s Call to Protect the Most Vulnerable
In response to this growing crisis, UNICEF has been working tirelessly with partners and governments along migration routes to provide lifesaving assistance and protect children from violence and exploitation. This includes efforts to promote safe migration, deliver essential services such as healthcare and education, and offer psychosocial support to children who have experienced trauma. However, the scale of the need far exceeds the resources currently available.
UNICEF is urgently appealing for $160.5 million to address the humanitarian needs of refugee and migrant children in key countries across the region, including Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. These funds are critical for providing immediate assistance, such as food, shelter, and medical care, as well as longer-term support to help children rebuild their lives. As of August 2023, UNICEF had received less than 20 percent of the required funding, leaving millions of children at risk of being left behind.
In addition to addressing immediate needs, there is a pressing need for governments and the international community to tackle the root causes of child migration. This means investing in violence prevention, addressing the impacts of climate change, and reducing inequalities that force families to flee their homes. Without such action, the number of children undertaking dangerous migration journeys is likely to continue to rise, with devastating consequences for their health, safety, and future prospects.
Conclusion
The child migration crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean represents one of the most urgent and complex humanitarian challenges of our time. It is a crisis that demands a coordinated and sustained response, not only to address the immediate needs of children on the move but also to create the conditions in their home countries that allow them to grow up in safety and dignity. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the plight of these children. Instead, it must act with urgency and compassion to protect their rights, ensure their safety, and offer them hope for a better future. This crisis is a stark reminder that the future of millions of children hangs in the balance, and our collective action—or inaction—will determine their fate. It is imperative that we prioritize their well-being, ensuring that no child is forced to embark on a perilous journey in search of the safety and opportunities every child deserves.
