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Migrants in transit in Ecuador, Colombia and Panama

Central American migration

From January to November 2023, almost half a million migrants have crossed the Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama. August 2023.
© Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF
Until recently, an estimated 500,000 people fled extreme violence and poverty every year in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, heading north through Mexico to find safety.

In the past two years, our teams have witnessed an expansion of the migratory route to incorporate hundreds of thousands of people who have traversed the dangerous Darién Gap - the tropical forest that acts as a natural border between Colombia and Panama. They then travel through Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and the whole Central American region, with the aim to reach Mexico and the US.

Migrants in the region face multiple constraints in accessing basic goods, humanitarian, medical assistance and protection, as well as administrative barriers that make the journey even more difficult. In addition, many experience various forms of violence along the route.  

MSF provides medical-humanitarian care to those who need it most, regardless of their nationality or legal status, in different countries and locations from Panama to the northern border of Mexico. 

 
San Vicente migration centre
Central American migration

Emergency healthcare and protection needed as more people cross to Panama

Press Release 19 May 2022
Migration in the Americas
Irvin (left), from Honduras, relaxes in a shelter with a young Guatemalan migrant. Irvin fled gang violence in his country to find more violence on the southern border of Mexico. He was assisted by the MSF team in Palenque, Chiapas. Mexico, August 2022.
© Yesika Ocampo/MSF

Neither dangers nor policies deter migrants making their way to the US

The number of people migrating north through Central America continue to grow despite restrictive policies, dangers en route and violence. MSF teams are working across the region to provide care to people.

 
Doctors Without Borders alarms insufficient response to the rising migrant influx in Darien jungle
Panama

Incidents of sexual violence spike for those crossing Panama’s Darién Gap

Press Release 17 Nov 2023
 
Dalila and her daughter in Reynosa, Mexico
Central American migration

End of Title 42 will not end crisis for migrants

Press Release 12 May 2023
 
Migration in the Americas
Central American migration

Barriers don’t deter people making their way to the United States

Project Update 23 Sep 2022
 
Jean Louis in his house
Haiti

Haitians fleeing deadly conflict are turned away by the US

Project Update 12 Aug 2022
 
MSF teams witness overwhelming needs of migrants in Mexico’s northern border cities
Mexico

More assistance urgently needed for people arriving in Mexico’s northern border cities

Press Release 11 Jul 2022
 
San Vicente migration centre
Central American migration

Emergency healthcare and protection needed as more people cross to Panama

Press Release 19 May 2022
 
Lajas Blancas Immigration Reception Station
Central American migration

“The Darién Gap is as dangerous as ever”

Voices from the Field 6 May 2022
 
Title 42
Central American migration

Pushed back, beaten and exposed: Stories from the US-Mexico border

Voices from the Field 29 Mar 2022
 
Venezuelan Migrants in Peru
Central American migration

Peru: Venezuelan migrants struggle to survive

Project Update 18 Mar 2022
Up Next
12 November 2018