| Maria was just 6 years old when her older sister Isabel went missing. © UNHCR/Jordan J. Hay | | Supporter, Maria was only six years old when her older sister, Isabel, vanished and was never seen again. She became one of thousands of children disappearing across Northern Central America. “Mother was so devastated, she never gave up on the search.
She looked for Isabel for three years.
We are sure the mara made my sister disappear.” Violent criminal gangs known as maras are fuelling a refugee crisis across Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Parents are being threatened. Children are forcibly recruited into violence and sex work. If they refuse, they’re murdered in the streets. Help UNHCR protect families today. |
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When Maria became a target of the gangs herself, she was forced to drop out of school and hide at home. Fearing they’d lose another daughter, Maria’s parents had no option but to flee. Six out of ten disappearances are now children. Parents are powerless to stop the maras. For a chance to survive, the only option is for children to flee their homes – either alone or with their families.Innocent children are losing their childhood, will you help them? Over 38,000 children in El Salvador alone have been forced to leave school over three years because of the escalating violence. Today, you can help protect Maria and children like her. UNHCR is already on the ground delivering: - Shelters where families can find safety and protection
- Safe spaces for children to learn and play without fear
- Psychological support to work through their trauma
- Legal services and information
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Thank you for your support, Naomi Steer
National Director
P.S With the crisis escalating rapidly, your support will help UNHCR protect growing numbers of families. Please make a generous donation today. |
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