In Mexico, because of the caravan of migrants declared a humanitarian crisis

The mayor of Tijuana, a Mexican city located on the US border, declared a humanitarian crisis and asked the UN for help.

He asks the international community to help resolve a difficult situation that arose in connection with the arrival of more than 5000 migrants from Central America in the city, reports AP.

The mayor of Tijuana, Juan Manuel Gastelum, stated that the Mexican federal government did not provide sufficient assistance, and he did not intend to direct the city’s funds to resolve the situation.

In an interview with local radio, he noted that 4 976 migrants had arrived in the city.

“We don't have enough of the necessary infrastructure to adequately care for these people, to house them in appropriate conditions,” he said.

60-year-old René Vázquez, a Tijuana resident who volunteers for migrants, said the Mexican federal government ignored the problem, allowing the caravan to cross the country without stopping. Now the city with a population of 1,6 million people faced a serious problem.

“I have nothing against the migrants, they were confused themselves, but it affects all of us,” Vazquez said.

In his opinion, the Mexican government should step up its work and begin issuing humanitarian visas for the caravan participants so that they can start looking for work.

The migrant caravan, which came out of Honduras in October, was well received in most cities through which people walked. Even poor cities provided migrants with food and shelter. However, in these cities the caravan stayed for no more than two days, with the exception of Mexico City, where the migrants stayed longer.

Many people now in Tijuana intend to apply for asylum in the United States and could spend months in a border town before getting a chance to speak with American officials. But even after filing an application, they may have to wait for a decision in Mexico - such rules are prepared for adoption by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Gastelum said that the Mexican government could send 20 tons of aid to Tijuana, but three-quarters of these supplies would be materials to strengthen the border and only 5 tons would go to provide assistance to migrants.

He called for a serious attitude to the threats of President Trump to block the border between the United States and Mexico.

Migrants also receive support from local churches and individuals who provide them with food, as well as from various agencies of the Baha-Californian state government that have opened vacancies for qualifying migrants around 7 000.

37-year-old Adelaide Gonzalez from Guatemala arrived in Tijuana three days ago and struggles to cope with the situation. She was tired of sleeping in a muddy field, covering him with a blanket; wait for an opportunity to go to the toilet for 30 minutes; and don't know if she will get food tomorrow.

“We wouldn’t have risked coming here if we knew it would be this hard,” said Gonzalez, who fled Guatemala with her 15-year-old son.

She said she was ready to accept the offer of Mexico to stay and work for this country as a refugee.

Gastelum also spoke about the collateral damage that the city is experiencing because of the caravan.

“Thousands of people from Tijuana who work in the US are late for work. No tourists come from the USA. Clients do not come for medical services. The situation is getting awkward,” he said.

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