At the office in Ciudad del Saber, Panama City, Panama, June 2024

At the end of June 2024, I travelled to Panama City for a series of meetings with colleagues at the regional office, focusing on the humanitarian situation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). These discussions covered a range of pressing challenges affecting the region, particularly in relation to forced displacement, migration, and ongoing humanitarian crises.

Humanitarian Challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean

The LAC region faces an array of humanitarian concerns, with issues ranging from political instability and natural disasters to migration crises and economic hardship. Some of the key themes discussed during the meetings included:

Forced Displacement and Migration

One of the most urgent humanitarian challenges in LAC is the large-scale displacement of people, driven by violence, economic collapse, and climate-related disasters.
• Venezuelan Crisis – With over 7.7 million Venezuelans having left their country in search of stability, this remains one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Neighbouring countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil continue to receive hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants, straining their social services and economies.
• Haitian Migration – Haiti’s ongoing political turmoil, gang violence, and economic instability have forced thousands to flee, often embarking on dangerous migration routes through the Darien Gap or heading toward the Dominican Republic, the United States, or South America.
• The Darien Gap Crisis – The dangerous jungle crossing between Colombia and Panama has become a key migration route for people from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and beyond, seeking to reach North America. Migrants face extreme dangers, including natural hazards, criminal gangs, and human trafficking.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

LAC is highly vulnerable to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and droughts, often causing mass displacement and economic devastation.
• Hurricanes in the Caribbean – Countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic face regular hurricane seasons, which displace communities and destroy livelihoods.
• Droughts in the Gran Chaco – Indigenous communities in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay are suffering from prolonged droughts, which impact food security and access to water.

Humanitarian Needs and Response

International and regional organisations continue to provide aid, strengthen resilience, and improve disaster preparedness, but challenges remain. The focus is increasingly on:
• Supporting host communities that receive large numbers of migrants.
• Improving access to basic services, including healthcare, education, and employment opportunities for displaced people.
• Strengthening humanitarian coordination among governments, NGOs, and international organisations.

Evenings in Casco Viejo – A Familiar Place

Beyond the meetings, it was great to catch up with friends and take evening walks through Casco Viejo. The charming colonial quarter of Panama City never fails to impress with its cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and lively atmosphere. Sitting in a small café, watching the sun set over the Pacific, was the perfect way to reflect on the ongoing challenges of the region—and the importance of continued humanitarian efforts.

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