Migrant caravan leaves hurricane-hit Honduras for US

Teguchigalpa: A migrant caravan, formed by hundreds of Hondurans affected by hurricanes Eta and Itoa last month, is on its way to the US, reports say.

This is the first US-bound caravan since the hurricanes struck the country.

They left Honduras late Wednesday and are on their way to the Guatemalan border, according to Xinhua news agency.

One migrant told the local press that he comes from the banana fields of El Progreso.

"We have been left with nothing. My wife and daughter are accompanying me. We know it is risky, but if you don't take a chance, you don't get what you want," he said.

Another older male said, "as a result of the hurricanes, we were left with nothing, and we have no other choice than to hit the road".

The government of Honduras confirmed on Tuesday that the US approved the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 42,000 migrants already living there.

The TPS had been cancelled and was to expire on January 5, 2021.

Following the damage caused by storms, and at the request of Honduras, Washington granted an extension until October 2021.

IANS report with edits