Moving Lines

Episode two of Moving Lines features two interviews from people working for Global Response Management (GRM), the nonprofit providing medical assistance to those experiencing statelessness in Matamoros, Mexico. The first interview features a doctor who will remain anonymous due to credible threats to his well being, who details their concerns for the spread of COVID-19 in the refugee camp. The doctor has worked in Matamoros for over 8 months, and is frequently the only specialized doctor assisting the near 2000 people living in the refugee camp as COVID-19 travel restrictions prevent doctors from traveling to the camp.  During the interview, the doctor tells of the pushback they have received by a prominent politician and of the loss of hope he has witnessed by fellow people experiencing statelessness at the border. The second interview features Blake Davis, the Director of Operations of GRM, Blake has worked in the refugee camp for a similar length of time and echoes many of the same concerns during his interview. During the interview, Blake discusses the many logistical hurdles he and the nonprofit experiences as they were preparing for the likely outbreak of the virus in the camp.

Interestingly, both interviews detail the shocking lengths officials at the US-Mexico border have taken to place additional burdens on GRM as they provide medical assistance to those who are in need, especially during a global pandemic. It is important to note that both of these interviews occurred in early May. COVID-19 has since spread in the Matamoros Refugee Camp. We will consider how the situation on the ground has changed in future episodes, we hope you tune in!

Episode one of Moving Lines features an interview with Tucker, an individual who organizes many efforts to support those experiencing statelessness in the Matamoros Refugee Camp. Tucker has worked in the refugee camp since the very first people requesting asylum were prevented from crossing the US-Mexico border last year. The refugee camp is now the largest camp located in the US-Mexico border, and has grown from a few people to thousands. Tucker is the co-founder of the Resource Center Matamoros and also works for Global Response Management, both nonprofits provide services, in collaboration with local community leaders and authorities, to those experiencing statelessness in Matamoros. During his interview, Tucker discusses how catastrophic the likely spread of COVID-19 will be, and how he and others are preparing for when the first people are infected. Listen to this first episode of Moving Lines to listen to Tucker describe the many efforts he and others have organized to slow and prevent the spread of the deadly virus, and to hear Tucker’s description of the conditions on the ground that will surely exacerbate the deadly consequences of the pandemic.

To support Tucker’s efforts, please consider donating to the Resource Center Matamoros - https://www.gofundme.com/f/20zg3t0xc0?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_na%20share-sheet&rcid=e242dc09532e46c2a2972697fbe15226&fbclid=IwAR0BFXN9wwuJASKVHmg0X97o5Jzw7nBoRydTFSlywppF4ur0v86PZXnZ10Y.

Welcome to Moving Lines, a podcast that explores refugee camps through the lenses of people most deeply connected to these spaces. This podcast was produced by the Refugee Outreach Collective, a nonprofit that amplifies the diverse narratives of migrant and displaced communities through alliance and relationship building.

Moving Lines series will be posted semi-regularly and may be found on our website at ROCYOURWORLD.ORG. That’s R O C your world . org - as well as wherever you stream podcasts. . We hope you tune in and enjoy!