Today marks the International Day of Migrants, which was declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2000, considering the already increasing number of migrants in the world.

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23 years have passed and the reality in which this new commemoration of December 18 is framed must lead us to a serious, but above all humanizing reflection.

On this day and every day, IOM, the United Nations migration agency, reaffirms its commitment to promoting the humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including communities of origin, transit and destination.

They are building a new barbed wire anti-climb wall to keep migrants from entering Texas

Although migration is a right, the increase in Ecuadorians choosing risky migration routes to the north of the continent is worrying.

The current immigration situation requires global efforts, but also individual efforts to leave no one behind.

According to the latest data from the Panamanian authorities, so far in 2023, about 55,000 Ecuadorians have crossed the province of Darién, on the border of Colombia and Panama, becoming the second nationality that uses this risky route the most.

The latest Displacement Monitoring Matrix-DTM of the International Organization for Migration found that the main reasons for migration are the search for employment opportunities (58%), family reunification (18%) and the search for better living conditions. life (14%).

More than 150,000 migrants arrived in New York in almost two years

This reality is what should prompt us to think, to realize that behind migration are people, sometimes whole families, with aspirations for better opportunities, peace or in search of what we all deserve: a more dignified life, a better life.

However, these people often experience all kinds of violence on their journey and in their host communities. The recent events that took place in the country are an example and a sign that we should continue to work together to overcome xenophobia and discrimination and thus deactivate hate speech fueled by misinformation.

The US Secretary of State and Ecuadorian authorities analyzed issues of security, migration and trade

It is imperative that a society that sees an increase in migration flows of its population humanizes itself, that today more than ever it is supportive and empathetic; Let’s remember that the power of migrants should not be underestimated and that migration in our communities has been shown to be drivers of change.

In 2022, for example, according to data from the Central Bank, migrants contributed 6.5% of Ecuador’s GDP, with remittances worth $4.743 million.

We need to start looking at this data, focusing on the positive side of migration. The current immigration situation requires global efforts, but also individual efforts to leave no one behind. Moving away from stigmas and stereotypes, starting to look at what we’ve been taught not to look at, and remembering that migration is a human right can be a starting point. (OR)