© IOM/Gema Cortés
Migrants come ashore from the Chucunaque River after crossing the Darién jungle.
A rising variety of migrants try the harmful journey throughout the Darién jungle spanning the Colombia-Panama border. For Etzaida Rios, 35, the impression of offering hope and assist runs deep.
She works as a Community Officer with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a brief migrant reception centre in San Vicente, one of many first factors of arrival for migrants, who are sometimes exhausted, malnourished, dehydrated, or injured.
“People arrive with pressing needs and many questions,” she mentioned, after attending to Zuleybis, who fractured her leg whereas crossing the Darién along with her husband José and 4 youngsters. The Venezuelan household obtained remedy on the centre earlier than persevering with their path north.
“The biggest challenge is witnessing suffering and hearing heartbreaking stories,” she mentioned. “While we see terrible things on television or read about them, it is even harder and more frustrating to see it with your eyes as it unfolds before you.”
Read extra about Ms. Rios’ story right here.
