Save the Children Establishes Medical Office for Immigrants in Tijuana

Save the Children (Save the Children) was built with the support of the Japanese embassy, a medical office that cares for the migrant population in the Mexican city of Tijuana, the NGO reported on Tuesday.

In a statement, the organization explained that over the past two years, the situation of risk and vulnerability of migrant populations passing through the northern border of Mexico has deteriorated, affecting their physical and mental health.

“In addition to this, the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of adequate medical care have exacerbated this state of risk.” He warned.

Against this background, and in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy, Save the Children is building and equipping a medical office in Tijuana City in northwestern Baja California.

“A place where care will be provided for the health of migrant communities based in Little Haiti and the Ambassador of Jesus, a space that has accommodated an average of 1,100 people in mobility over the past three years,” the text points out.

This office provides direct medical care for at least 4,320 people, including children and young people.

Maripina Menéndez, Executive Director of Save the Children (Save the Children) in Mexico, said: “Through partnerships such as this partnership that allows direct attention to mobile children, young people and families, organizations and governments can protect migrant children in Mexico and take advantage of the most fundamental rights.”

Noriteru Fukushima, Japan's ambassador to Mexico, said the project was consolidated “within the framework of non-redeemable financial support for community human security projects.”

“I hope this cooperation will contribute to the efforts of Mexico and the United States to address the issue of migration from Central America.” He added.

Simultaneously with this activity, Save the Children promotes comprehensive treatment programs for children and migrant families at 34 campuses located in major cities on the southern and northern borders of Mexico.

The region is experiencing a record flow of migration to the United States, and the Customs Border Protection Agency (CBP) detected more than 1.7 million undocumented immigrants at the border with Mexico in the fiscal year 2021, which ended last September.

According to data from the Mexican Ministry of Interior, Mexico deported more than 114,000 foreigners in 2021.

The Mexican authorities intercepted 73,034 foreigners due to irregular stays in the national territory between January 1 and March 8 this year, as recently reported by the National Institute for Migration (INM).