Caravan of migrants cross the Guatemala-Mexico border towards the US

As a caravan of thousands of migrants from Honduras cross the Guatemala-Mexico border, continuing their journey toward the United States, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has warned of the urgent need to stabilize their situation.
Speaking to media today at the United Nations in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards said that “of particular concern for us at the moment is the developing humanitarian situation among this group with many people having food, health, water and other needs. There is also a kidnapping and security risks in areas the caravan may venture into."
"Stabilizing the situation is therefore urgent," Edwards said. " It is essential that there are proper reception and other conditions for those seeking asylum as well as for others on the move”.
The caravan consists of mostly Honduran migrants — fleeing poverty and violence — who are making their way to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Adrian Edwards recalled that “the caravan which as you probably know, has been estimated at up to 7,000 people or more in size, is the second organized march in the region this year. There was another one in April in Mexico”.
With the route to the U.S. becoming ever more difficult, an increasing number of people are applying for asylum in Mexico.
“As of yesterday, we had over 45 UNHCR staff in Tapachula, in Chiapas state and others are en route," Edwards said. "We are working in support of the Mexican authorities, our teams are providing not just staffing but also technical help to ensure timely registration of asylum seekers, setting up of identification and referral mechanism for those who have specific vulnerabilities and needs”.
UNHCR has issued a reminder to countries along this route that the caravan is likely to include people in real danger.
“The responsibilities that all countries have along this route is really the same. Individuals fleeing persecution and violence need to be given access to territory and refugee status determination procedures”, UNHCR’s Adrian Edwards said. “If people who are fleeing persecution and violence in one country they need to be provided access to the asylum system”.
According to the World Bank, 66 percent of Hondurans live in poverty and about one out of five Hondurans in rural areas live on less than $1.90 a day.
Watch the full briefing -