The number of migrants crossing the dangerous Darien Jungle route doubles

The number of migrants who have crossed irregularly into Panama after embarking on the dangerous Darien Jungle route reached a record high in 2022, doubling last year's figure. According to the Panamanian government, almost 250,000 people have crossed into Panama in 2022, up from around 133,000 in 2021.

The number of Venezuelans following this route increased by about 50 times last year compared to 2021, reaching 150,327. Venezuelan nationals were followed in number by Ecuadorians (29,356), Haitians (22,435), and Cubans (5,961). Of the total, about 28% were women and 72% were men, while 16% were represented by children and adolescents. 

According to data from IOM's Missing Migrants Project, 36 people lost their lives in the Darien Jungle in 2022.

However, the known cases seem to indicate that many migrants die in the Darién jungle and their remains are neither reported nor recovered, so this figure presents only a small fraction of the true number of lives lost.

"The stories we have heard from those who have crossed the Darien Jungle are testimony to the horrors that this journey involves," said Giuseppe Loprete, head of mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Panama.

Loprete explained that many migrants "have lost their lives or disappeared while others have made it through, but now have significant health problems, both physical and mental, to which we and our partners are responding".

The UN agency and its partners are stepping up the response in Panama, providing temporary shelter in government-coordinated reception centres, mattresses, blankets, solar lamps, medicines, food and hygiene kits.

IOM also continues to coordinate with government institutions throughout the region, strengthening border and migration management capacities and promoting access to regularisation programmes. Loprete stresses that mixed migration flows throughout the region are complex and dynamic.

Last year's record numbers coincided with deteriorating economic and social conditions in countries of origin and throughout Latin America. Responding to this situation will continue to require a coordinated regional response and cooperation at the international level in order to address urgent humanitarian and protection needs and related policy challenges.

In this context, the International Organization for Migration advocates for the establishment of safe, orderly and regular migration routes, channels and mechanisms to protect the rights of migrants in transit and to prevent situations of vulnerability associated with irregular migration and migrant smuggling, among other dangers.

IOM also calls for the investigation and prosecution of smugglers and increased support and investment in host communities to strengthen services that benefit both migrants and refugees and the local population.