Tijuana shelters overwhelmed by Haitian migrants

Last updated on: January 12, 2017 at 7:08 am by CNA Daily News

Tijuana shelters overwhelmed by Haitian migrants 2017-01-12T07:08:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Tijuana, Mexico, Jan 12, 2017 / 12:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The shelters in Tijuana that care for the migrant population are now in a state of emergency, severely overcrowded due to the arrival of thousands of Haitians seeking refuge in the United States.

According to the director of Migrant Care of Tijuana, César Aníbal, there are 3,200 foreign migrants in these 28 shelters, and the majority come from Haiti. Located across the US-Mexico border from San Diego, Tijuana is a destination for those seeking entry to the United States.

In an interview with Agenzia Info Salesiana, Fr. Leonardo Martínez, in charge of the Salesian “Padre Chava” shelter, a center with 88 beds and a communal kitchen, said what is urgently needed is “a space to put thousands of people because more are going to continue to come.”

“All the shelters are overwhelmed, so there are times when some people sleep outside in the open,” he said.

This shelter currently houses 450 Haitian migrants, especially children and women.

When no space is available, the Salesians coordinate with the National Migration Institute to find a place in one of the hostels, which are for the most part Catholic.

Fr. Martínez also pointed out there is a health emergency due to the lack of hygiene services.

Currently, the Salesian “Padre Chava” shelter is making constant appeals to the population to continue helping, asking for baby formula, diapers, food, blankets, and clothing.

The number of persons fleeing Haiti has mushroomed since Hurricane Matthew devastated the Caribbean nation in October. The storm destroyed homes in the country which had also been struck by a catastrophic earthquake in 2010, and a subsequent cholera outbreak.

Americas

Previous Post

January 12, 2017

What's behind Pope Francis' meeting with the Palestinian president

Next Post

January 12, 2017 Persecution of Christians has risen for the fourth straight year

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who built the ark to survive the flood?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Noah Abraham Moses Elijah