It Could Happen Here CZM Rewind: We Are All Brothers: How the Emberá Community of Bajo Chiquito Welcomes Migrants in the Darién Gap
Dec 29, 2025
Discover the resilience of the Emberá community in Bajo Chiquito as they welcome waves of migrants. Hear about the local response to health crises and the limited government support they face. Women leaders play a vital role in coordinating aid and ensuring safety for newcomers. The cultural significance of education and traditional ceremonies shines through as the community faces modernization. Daily acts of solidarity offer hope, while the rising dangers in the region raise urgent calls for state responsibility.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Morning Flood Of Migrants
- James describes mornings when dozens of piraguas arrive filled with migrants wearing orange life jackets and forming a line through the village.
- Many pay $25 for a boat ride and sleep in Bajo Chiquito before continuing north the next day.
Community Steps In For Absent State
- The Emberá built houses for doctors and migration officials because the state failed to provide services despite high migrant flows.
- Community action enabled migrants to access quicker services and continue their journeys north.
Verify Boat Drivers Before Transport
- Coordinate identification, immigration checks, and safe transport with local leaders and verified boat drivers.
- Require boat drivers to present ID and be of legal age to reduce drownings and fraud.