The podcast explores the experiences of volunteers searching for missing migrants in the Sonoran Desert, controversial National Guard presence in Uzbek schools, Hindu identity complexities in India, and the resumption of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba after 65 years.
Volunteers like Eagles of the Desert brave extreme conditions in the Sonoran Desert to locate missing migrants and provide closure to families.
Encountering discarded personal items during search missions provides insight into migrants' struggles and serves as potential clues for others.
Deep dives
The Eagles of the Desert's Mission in the Sonoran Desert
Volunteers known as the Eagles of the Desert respond to distress calls from migrants navigating the dangerous Sonoran Desert. The harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, lack of water sources, and presence of wildlife and criminal groups, pose serious threats to migrants. The leader of the group, Elio Ortiz, who tragically lost his brother and cousin in the desert, is dedicated to assisting families in locating missing migrants. Volunteer expeditions require extensive preparation due to the challenging terrain and risks involved.
Challenges Faced During the Desert Expeditions
The desert expeditions undertaken by the Eagles of the Desert present numerous challenges. Volunteers must navigate difficult terrain with thick bushes and thorny vegetation, requiring them to crawl and maneuver carefully. The absence of shade, coupled with extreme temperatures and the presence of dangerous animals like vipers and scorpions, adds to the difficulty. Carrying heavy equipment, enduring long hours of walking, and maintaining focus in such extreme conditions make the expeditions physically and mentally taxing.
Discoveries and Impact of Found Objects in the Desert
During their searches, the Eagles of the Desert encounter discarded personal items like backpacks and water bottles left behind by migrants. These objects offer insight into the migrants' journeys and serve as potential clues for others traveling through the desert. The presence of these items, while puzzling at first, signifies the migrants' struggle for survival and their relentless pursuit of a better life. The volunteers' efforts, though emotionally challenging, provide hope and closure to families searching for missing loved ones.
Uncovering the Tragic Reality of Missing Migrants
The dedicated efforts of journalists and volunteers shed light on the somber reality faced by missing migrants in the desert. Through firsthand experiences and encounters with the remains of migrants like Raul Sanchez Sanchez, the depth of the humanitarian crisis becomes apparent. The emotional toll of witnessing such tragedies, coupled with the necessity for continued search and rescue missions, emphasizes the critical role played by organizations like the Eagles of the Desert. Despite the hardships and dangers involved, these efforts offer a glimmer of hope and compassion in the face of despair.
The Eagles of the Desert are a group of volunteers who look for migrants who've been reported missing while crossing the hazardous Sonoran Desert from Mexico into the United States. BBC Mundo reporter Valentina Oropeza and cameraman Jose Maria Rodero joined them on a search, and they share their experience of the desert and the work of the volunteers.
Policing Uzbekistan's schools
Last month, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan told the National Guard to go into schools to tackle truancy. It's a big topic on social media, with some parents upset about the discipline being imposed by the guards. BBC Uzbek's Ibrat Safo has been following developments.
Being Hindu in India
Identity is an important issue in India’s upcoming elections, and for much of the population, it’s deeply embedded in Hinduism. In a series of interviews across the country, BBC Delhi’s Divya Arya explores the many different ways of being Hindu, including an episode on Dalits, who are at the bottom of the religious caste ladder and have historically experienced inequality and oppression.
Cuba and South Korea
South Korea has restored diplomatic relations with Cuba, a longstanding ally of North Korea, after 65 years. BBC Korean's Yuna Ku and BBC Mundo's Atahualpa Amerise explain the history and context of the surprise announcement, and what it might mean.
(Photo: Volunteer searching in Sonoran desert. Credit: BBC)
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode