Part of then-nominee Joe Biden’s platform on immigration reform included focusing on the root causes of migration in the Northern Triangle countries—Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Last month, he designated Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the diplomatic efforts to address these causes in the region and manage the surge of migrants arriving at the U.S. Southern border. On Monday, Vice President Harris announced an additional $310 million in humanitarian aid to Central America. The announcement came hours after a conversation between the Vice President and Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei.
The coronavirus pandemic has hit Latin America especially hard. In Central America, the pandemic was coupled with two back-to-back devastating hurricanes that further worsened the already precarious situation. According to the Congressional Research Service, the decline in economic growth in 2020 is expected to worsen income inequality and poverty in the region. The number of people facing hunger in the Northern Triangle countries has increased to 7.8 million. In her remarks to President Giammattei, Vice President Harris spoke of these “acute causes” of the spike in migration, as well as “root causes” like government corruption and lack of economic opportunity.
During their conversation, the Vice President agreed to training members of a Guatemalan task force to control border security and promised forthcoming aid to the Northern Triangle region. “We want to work with you to address both the acute causes as well as the root causes, in a way that will bring hope to the people of Guatemala that there will be an opportunity for them if they stay at home,” she said, adding that the United States hoped to better cooperate to “manage migration in an effective, secure and humane manner.” Additionally, the Vice President plans to travel to Central America in June to continue her diplomatic efforts.
Some hours after the call, the increase in aid was announced “for humanitarian relief and to address food insecurity” in the region. “In light of the dire situation and acute suffering faced by millions of people in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, Vice President Harris announced an additional $310 million in U.S. government support,” a fact sheet released by the White House said.
The funds will come from USAID and the Departments of State, Defense, and Agriculture. $125 million are set to deal with droughts, food shortages and the coronavirus pandemic. Another $104 from the State Department will help with the safety and protection of refugees and asylum seekers. $26 million from Defense will increase partnership activities in the region to improve health, education, and disaster relief services.
Photo: Twitter/VP