Dateline Australia, SBS, “Country of Lost Children”

Venezuela, once the richest country in South America, has been plagued by an economic crisis, resulting in a mass exodus of its citizens. This migration crisis has left an estimated one million children behind as parents seek better opportunities abroad. The upcoming episode of Dateline Australia on SBS at 9:30 pm, titled “Country of Lost Children“, explores the devastating impact of this crisis, where joining a gang becomes a child’s only chance of survival.

The episode examines the heart-wrenching decisions faced by Venezuelan parents caught between the struggle of meeting their children’s basic needs and the potential benefits of migrating for work. As Venezuela’s economy continues to collapse, parents are forced to make the difficult choice to leave their children in the care of relatives or older siblings, hoping to provide a better life for them through remittances.

However, the absence of parents and the ensuing economic instability have left children vulnerable. With limited access to food and essential resources, children are becoming easy targets for criminal gangs. Gangs are now using food as bait to recruit children, taking advantage of their desperation and offering them a way to survive. Venezuela, already facing one of the world’s highest crime rates, is witnessing a disturbing trend of children turning to gang life out of sheer necessity.

Through the lens of this episode, viewers will gain insight into the complex dynamics of Venezuela’s migration crisis and its profound impact on children. They will see how economic policies and hyperinflation have contributed to this situation, pushing families to the brink and forcing them to make unimaginable choices.

Dateline Australia airs Tuesday, 16 April 2024, at 9:30 pm on SBS.