UNICEF reports sharp increase in undocumented minors
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 9:42 AM PT – Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Undocumented minors have continued to overwhelm the U.S. southern
border as migrants keep moving across Central America and Mexico.
According to a UNICEF
(United Nations Children’s Fund) report on Tuesday, the number of
migrant children crossing through Mexico has surged in the last three
months as overcrowding at shelters on both sides of the border reach new
levels.
Regional Director Jean Gough recently finished a five day visit to
migrant shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border. A representative for
Gough said the official was heartbroken to see the suffering of so many
young children inside these packed facilities. She explained the
shelters were very full, which prevents them from providing appropriate
space for those arriving with children.
The representative also conveyed Gough’s warning that
human-traffickers are taking advantage of families who are trying to
flee, putting their lives at risk in order to make the dangerous
journey.
While the United Nations has stepped in to help U.S. and Mexican
authorities deal with the migrant crisis, officials said food and health
resources are running scarce. Gough’s representative noted, “investment
needs to be increased for coordination at the local level to be boosted
and for all these shelters to be mapped.”
UNICEF hopes to acquire $23 million in funding in order to continue with humanitarian operations in Mexico.
