A terrible journey - 29th September 2021

This is Tapachula in Mexico, and these people are refugees from Haiti. They are trying to get to the USA. But are now waiting in Tapachula.

A deadly earthquake in Haiti, in 2010, killed over 200,000 people. Many Haitians lost everything and became refugees. The president of Chile offered them the chance to live in Chile. And thousands accepted his offer.

Murat Tilus describes what happened.

Murat Tilus: "After the 2010 earthquake my house fell, my family died, there is nothing. Then I took the initiative with my wife to go to another country. The president of Chile opened the door for everyone to come to Chile, then I went to Chile to do something new."

In 2018, Chile's government made a new strict law, which made the lives of migrants much harder. So, many decided to try and get to the USA, where some have family already living there.

The journey was very long and full of danger. They had to cross jungles, mountains and rivers, in 10 different countries. They also had to face gangs and drug traffickers. Some didn't survive the journey.

Samuel, eleven years old, left Haiti with his mum and sister when his brother was killed.

Samuel Camille: "When we passed through the jungle and we arrived in Panama, not in the city but where the mountain of Panama was, there we crossed the river and people died there. The river was very strong."

The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance has arranged 77, 559 permits for migrants so far this year. But, thousands more are still waiting to enter the USA.

Many, like Samuel, wish they were still in Chile. But for now all they can do is wait.