Amidst Soaring Migration in the Americas, Humanitarian Aid Funding Falls Short, UN Official Declares

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Nations across the Americas are grappling with an unprecedented rise in migration, while international financial resources for humanitarian responses are notably lacking, stated a United Nations representative.

Ugochi Daniels, the Deputy Director of Operations for the International Organization for Migration, emphasized that a comprehensive and collaborative effort across the region is crucial for a sustainable resolution to the constant movement of vulnerable populations toward the United States.

However, Daniels noted that other global emergencies—such as the conflict in Ukraine, unrest in Sudan, and earthquakes in Morocco—have diverted international financial resources. In a recent interview with The Big Big News, she revealed that the U.N. had received only 71% of the $55.2 billion it estimated as necessary to address various escalating global crises through the month of August.

Countries including Panama and Costa Rica are increasingly appealing for international assistance to manage the surge in migrants, although Daniels refrained from specifying which entities should shoulder the financial responsibility. “The situation clearly calls for international attention, as it is beyond the capacity of any single nation to resolve,” she noted.

Recent data show a sharp increase in the number of migrants attempting to cross the Mexico-U.S. border, with the first 11 months of fiscal year 2023 recording over 1.8 million stops by U.S. authorities, compared to 310,531 stops in the entire fiscal year of 2017.

The influx, heavily comprised of Venezuelans, is straining the governments of Latin American nations, many of which are already financially stretched and unable to adequately care for their own citizenry. Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves recently declared a state of emergency due to the overwhelming number of incoming migrants.

The issue of inadequate funding for migration crises is not new and has been particularly evident in the large-scale movement of people fleeing Venezuela’s economic and political instability. Despite the exodus of more than 7.2 million individuals, aid for this migration crisis has been meager when compared to other international situations, such as the Syrian conflict.

A recent U.N. report stated that $400 million was necessary to handle the Venezuelan migration crisis, yet only a third of that amount has been received. Juan Pappier, Deputy Director of the Americas for Human Rights Watch, said that the shortage of aid fosters resentment and xenophobia, thereby instigating more restrictive policies in many South American nations. These policies, in turn, channel Venezuelans to riskier migration routes like the Darien Gap, further contributing to the crisis.

Both analysts and Daniels acknowledge that the international reaction so far has been marked by ad hoc and short-term strategies. While the U.S. has exerted pressure on various nations to curb migratory flows, these efforts have resulted only in temporary lulls, followed by renewed surges, as stated by Adam Isacson, an analyst with the Washington Office on Latin America.

Daniels underscored the need to focus on the root causes of migration—such as poverty, corruption, crime, and political repression—while also promoting more constructive measures, like work programs and legal migration pathways, to mitigate the immediate crisis. Daniels praised Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador for announcing a forthcoming meeting with 10 regional nations to discuss the migration issue.

“In attempts to manage migration, border closures and controls have proven ineffective. People will still find ways to move, albeit at increased risk and vulnerability. Migration is not a phenomenon that can be controlled; it must be managed,” Daniels concluded.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Humanitarian Aid Funding for Migration Crisis

More about Humanitarian Aid Funding for Migration Crisis

• United Nations Humanitarian Funding Reports
• International Organization for Migration
• Current Migration Statistics for Fiscal Year 2023
• Venezuelan Migration Crisis
• Human Rights Watch: Americas Division
• Washington Office on Latin America
• State of Emergency in Costa Rica
• Global Crises and Humanitarian Funding
• Impact of Restrictive Policies on Migration
• Mexican President’s Announcement on Regional Meeting