Volunteers Drop Off Basic Necessities for Migrants in SoCal Deserts
A group of volunteers carrying backpacks full of supplies braced for another trip into remote parts of the California desert on Saturday as part of their weekly water drops to provide basic necessities to migrants hoping to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Mission
Al Otro Lado, a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid and no-cost legal aid for refugees and deportees, conducts weekly drop-offs at San Diego and Imperial Counties’ deserts. The organization describes its efforts as "an initiative aimed at saving the lives of men, women, and children fleeing persecution by providing water, seasonal clothing, food, and first-aid kits along the California-México border."
The Challenge
James Cordero, who coordinates the water drops, said migrants who cross the desert into the States face rugged terrain, harsh weather conditions that include temperatures of up to 130 degrees during the summer, and the possibility of injuries or even death on their journey. His team hopes to save lives by providing supplies and leaving them in the desert.
Finding Need
"We’re talking about very remote locations, and this is reserved for those with the least amount of resources to get into this country and that’s why they take these very long distances, this rugged terrain," he said. Along their paths in the desert, Cordero said the volunteer group has found items left behind by migrants, showing them where supplies are needed most.
A Message of Hope
"We’ve found anything from backpacks, shoes, bibles, rosaries, a lot of times prayer cards," he said. "We’ll find currency from all over the world kind of letting us know where people are traveling from or where they’re traveling through to get to where they are."
Conclusion
With their weekly drop-offs, the group is able to determine which areas require more necessities to help migrants. Cordero’s message is clear: "At the end of the day, it’s about saving human lives, and a bottle of water can minimize the suffering and minimize death out there. The supplies that we use can save lives and do save lives."
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the mission of Al Otro Lado?
Al Otro Lado provides humanitarian aid and no-cost legal aid for refugees and deportees. - What kind of supplies do they provide?
They provide water, seasonal clothing, food, and first-aid kits. - Why do they leave supplies in the desert?
To save lives by providing basic necessities to migrants crossing the border. - How do they determine where supplies are needed most?
By finding items left behind by migrants and conducting weekly drop-offs.
