CAFEMIN is a migrant shelter in Mexico City that provides refuge and assistance to women, migrant youth, and refugees from over 20 countries. Run by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, it offers food, medicine, clothes, legal and psychosocial assistance, and training for starting businesses or finding work. Despite being overcrowded, with an average of 500 people per day, the shelter only has a capacity for 80-100 individuals.
Volunteers play a crucial role in running CAFEMIN, providing emotional support and assistance to the migrants. Many volunteers, like Nederith Tercero and Jaqueline Quintana, share their experiences of connecting with the people they help, despite facing emotional challenges and witnessing the hardships faced by the migrants.
The violence against migrants has increased in recent years, particularly due to Mexico’s migration control policies and pressure from the U.S. government. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to a rise in asylum requests in Mexico City, putting further strain on shelters like CAFEMIN.
Despite the difficulties, volunteers at CAFEMIN are dedicated to providing care and support to those in need, highlighting the crucial role that civil society plays in the humanitarian response. The international community, including the UN Refugee Agency, has emphasized the importance of safe shelters and basic services for migrants, recognizing the tireless efforts of volunteers like Nederith, Jaqueline, and Samantha Hernández Cerón at CAFEMIN.
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