The UN Children’s Fund UNICEF on Thursday said that more and more migrant children were attempting the life-threatening crossing of the Darién jungle between Central and South America out of necessity.

The Darién Gap comprises mountains and swamps covered in dense tropical forest.

There are no established roads and no law and order.

UNICEF has presented a report in Panama City that showed that in the first four months of this year.

It said more than 30,000 minors made the approximately 100-kilometre journey north through the Darién, which separates Panama from Colombia.

That is 40 per cent more than in the same period last year.

Around 2,000 of the children were unaccompanied.

According to UNICEF, child migration through the Darién this year is likely to see record numbers for the fifth time in a row.

“The Darién Gap is no place for children,’’ said UNICEF deputy executive director, Ted Chaiban. “Many children have died on this arduous, dangerous journey.’’

Those that survived arrive at their destinations sick, hungry, dehydrated and often injured.

Some children are even brought into the world by their mothers in the jungle under difficult conditions.

The International Red Cross described the journey through the Darién jungle, which takes between three and 15 days, as one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, according to the aid organisation Doctors without Borders.

Those who have completed it were often physically and psychologically traumatised.

The migrants were not only exposed to the dangers of the wild tropical forest.

They are also often victims of violence by criminal groups and sexual assaults.

Over half a million people travelled the route last year, including 113,000 children. 

(dpa/NAN)