The Darien Gap: Crossing borders at age four
Driven by displacement, armed violence, and climate crises, families across Latin America face a dangerous journey crossing the Darién Gap. Children on the move face the greatest risks.
The Darién jungle spans roughly 160 kilometers at its widest point, forming an impassable break in the 48,000-kilometer Pan-American Highway that stretches from Argentina to Alaska. This rugged terrain is no place for children. It features dense forests, fast-flowing rivers, steep hills, and expansive swamps filled with knee-deep mud. Despite being home to criminal and armed groups, hundreds of thousands of migrants view it as their only viable path northward.
For children crossing the Darién Gap, the journey is a constant struggle for survival. With each step, their hopes for a safer future are weighed against the harsh reality of the treacherous path. The uncertainty of what lies ahead casts a shadow over their fragile journey, leaving their futures uncertain and vulnerable.
Anissa Isabella, a four-year-old Venezuelan girl, survived the treacherous journey through the Darien Gap. As the number of migrants surges across Latin America and the Caribbean, children now make up one in every four of those who traverse the dangerous jungle passage between Colombia and Panama. Anissa’s story is a glimpse into the growing crisis and the incredible resilience of children on the move fleeing for a better future.
Story:
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