In an interview, Fr Martinez acknowledged that both the state government and the Tijuana City Hall have helped with some donations, and although these contributions are important, they are not the priority. "What is urgent is a space that can accommodate thousands of people, because more and more are coming."
Currently 450 Haitian migrants are living at Padre Chava, mainly women and children. They continue to arrive in the city every day. When they do not have space, the Salesians coordinate with the National Institute for Migration (INM) to try to find space for the immigrants in some of the 28 shelters.
Fr Martinez says that all the agencies try to help but it is difficult. "All the shelters have collapsed and there are times when some people are sleeping in the open."
The main needs are milk powder, diapers, food, blankets and clothes in general, but we keep making requests of the local people who continue to help with their characteristic generosity.
Finally, he pointed out the health emergency due to the lack of sanitary facilities for migrants who apply to INAMI which is located on one side of our buildings to seek permission from the US authorities and are forced to see to their needs in public areas.
