Migrant Children Returned To Central America From US Face Violence, Poverty - UNICEF

Migrant Children Returned to Central America From US Face Violence, Poverty - UNICEF

Migrant children returned to their homes in northern Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) from the United States and Mexico face violence, poverty and stigmatization in their home countries, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said in its report on Thursday.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th August, 2018) Migrant children returned to their homes in northern Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) from the United States and Mexico face violence, poverty and stigmatization in their home countries, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said in its report on Thursday.

"As this report shows, millions of children in the region are victims of poverty, indifference, violence, forced migration and the fear of deportation ... In many cases, children who are sent back to their countries of origin have no home to return to, end up deep in debt or are targeted by gangs. Being returned to impossible situations makes it more likely that they will migrate again," UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Maria Cristina Perceval said.

According to the report, the poverty rate among children in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras amounts to 44, 68 and 74 percent respectively.

The report stressed that many children and their families, the majority of whom attempt to reach the United States, but get caught on their way to the country in Mexico, had migrated due to the high violence rate in their home countries and their deportation back might only put them at greater risk.

"Between 2008 and 2016 in Honduras, for instance, roughly one child fell victim to homicide each day. Likewise, in El Salvador, 365 children were murdered in 2017, while in Guatemala 942 violent deaths of children were reported last year," the UNICEF indicated.

The UNICEF added that returned children often face stigmatization within the community due to their failed migration attempts, which, in turn, might then complicate their reintegration into school.

According to the UN figures, over 96,200 migrants, including 24,189 children and women, were returned from the United States and Mexico to northern Central America in January-June.