Guatemala - IOM today led a dialogue to discuss the challenges encountered in handling unaccompanied migrant children returned to Guatemala and the efforts of the Jimmy Morales’ administration to guarantee their fundamental rights.

The event was attended by IOM’s National Coordinator for Guatemala, José Diego Cardenas; Secretary of Social Works of the Wife of the President (SOSEP), Jose Maria Godoy; the representative of the Department of Migrant Unaccompanied Children of the Ministry of Social Welfare of the Presidency (SBS), Golda Ibarra; the Chief of the Unit for Children and Adolescents of the Attorney General's Office, Harold Flores; and Guatemalan photojournalist Esteban Biba, among others.

This dialogue was developed in the framework of the project Comprehensive Assistance to Families and Migrant Unaccompanied Children Returned to the Northern Triangle of Central America, implemented by IOM with USAID funding since a humanitarian crisis declared in October 2014.

Between 2014 and 2016 the project has directly assisted nearly 40,000 returning migrants from El Salvador (10,496), Guatemala (12,132) and Honduras (15,815). This included delivering a total of 40,715 food packages and 21,388 hygiene kits, and providing 24,843 shuttle bus transfers and 4,463 medical and psychological consultations.

IOM has also supported the Central American Northern Triangle countries with the renovation and reconstruction of nine entry points, including shelters and reception centres. In Guatemala, the renovation work focused on the Guatemalan Air Base and the Casa Nuestra Shelters are established in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango.

Following the debate, a photo exhibit by Esteban Biba called Niñez sin País opened, portraying his view of the journey taken by unaccompanied migrant children from the Northern Triangle of Central America to the United States.  

The exhibition seeks to raise awareness of the reality facing hundreds of children and adolescents. "Poor families in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are vulnerable and undertake one of the most dangerous journeys for humanity: irregular migration through Mexico to the United States," said Biba.

The exhibition will be open until April 29th at Casa Ibarguen, a historic building managed by the Municipality of Guatemala. The 25 photographs on display were taken in the border city of Tecun Uman, and on some routes in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca.

For further information, please contact Melissa Vega at IOM Guatemala, Tel: + 503 2521-0500, Email: mevega@iom.int