Refugees struggle to enter Ecuador

Ecuadornews:

Arriving in Peru, Chile and Argentina is the goal of a large group of Venezuelan citizens who, since Friday, occupy the central pedestrian crossing of the international bridge of Rumichaca.

The migrants say they want to improve their quality of life and that of their families, however, legalizing their transit through Ecuador became an odyssey. There are citizens who have been trying to seal their documents for more than three days.

Bracelets and numbers are placed on the right arm, which indicates the turn in which they will be attended. Migration officials work at their best, but due to the number of people, moments of despair are generated.

Estefanía Herrera travels with her two daughters and a sister to Peru, where her husband, who emigrated a year ago, awaits her. “We have no choice but to leave Venezuela, in my country there are no medicines, no food and we do not want to continue like this”.

The number of Venezuelans has increased in recent days. In Venezuela the school year ended and this would be one of the reasons for the massive presence.

“I had to wait for my daughters to finish school to go for them. In Peru they will be accepted in the education system, “said Oliana Sánchez.

The delivery of free transportation by the Colombian Municipality of Cali was added to the culmination of the school year. They travel with just money, there are even migrants who left their country with limited resources and are forced to walk.

A group of seven young people will begin their journey on foot to the South American country. The movement of Venezuelan citizens by Rumichaca spread throughout the night of Monday and early morning on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Suitcases and blankets serve as mattresses while they wait their turn. The Ecuadorian authorities activated the Mobility Table.

At the moment, the Ministry of Public Health reinforced Rumichaca’s outpatient health post with personnel from the province of Imbabura. The brigade consists of a mobile unit, five doctors and three licensed. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/ecuador/1/venezolanos-ingreso-puente-rumichaca