U.S. announcement on Central America refugees highlights seriousness of situation, UNHCR
WASHINGTON, DC, Jan 14, 2016 (UNHCR) - The recent U.S. announcement that it will expand the refugee resettlement program to help vulnerable people fleeing deadly violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, underscores the urgent need for coordinated regional action to address the humanitarian situation, UNHCR said today.
"The U.S. initiative to resettle Central American refugees is a welcome step to help address the growing refugee crisis," said UNHCR Regional Representative in the United States, Shelly Pitterman.
The UN refugee agency reiterated its serious concern for the welfare of large numbers of people who continue to flee deadly violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - the Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA).
UNHCR is working closely with the governments of the region alongside civil society partners to enhance screening capacity to identify people forced to flee NTCA violence. The agency is also encouraging governments to introduce legal avenues for refugees to find safety to protect them from exploitation by smugglers and traffickers. In addition, UNHCR supports clear and accessible procedures for asylum-seekers and other elements of a robust asylum architecture that is central to an effective regional response.
UNHCR has issued two reports, Children on the Run and Women on the Run, demonstrating that people fleeing NTCA violence who reached the U.S. border have bona fide needs for international protection.
UNHCR recognizes that it is the prerogative of States to manage the security of their borders. However, the return of persons deemed not to be in need of international protection should take place only after their claims have been considered through due process. Moreover, any such returns must be carried out in a manner that is orderly, safe and respectful of the dignity of the individuals and families concerned. In particular, returns of unaccompanied or separated children must be based on a determination of what is in the best interests of the child.
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UNHCR Global Report 2003 - Central America and Mexico Regional Overview
1 Jun 2004 ... Central America and Mexico Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Major developments D uring 2003, Central America and Mexico con- tinued to receive asylum-seekers from the ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2002 - Mexico and Central America Regional Overview
1 Dec 2001 ... Tens of thousands of undocumented Central and South Americans, as well as extra-continental migrants from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and other locations, are now arriving in Central America and ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2005 - Central America and Mexico Regional Overview
1 Dec 2004 ... Central America and Mexico Belize Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Recent developments I n 2004, some 1,340 persons sought asylum in Mexico and Central America. They were ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2006 - Central America and Mexico Subregional Overview
1 Jun 2007 ... Belize El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Central America and Mexico Operational highlights • A series of protection workshops and seminars served to increase the regional capacity in ...... -
Review of the CIREFCA Process
1 May 1994 ... SCOPE OF THE REVIEW (1) This review examines the role of the CIREFCA process in providing durable solutions to the plight of refugees and other displaced people in Central America. There were three ...... -
Cartagena Declaration on Refugees, adopted by the Colloquium on the International Protection of Refugees in Central America, Mexico and Panama, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 22 November 1984
1 Oct 2006 ... ... Adoptada por el Coloquio sobre la Protección Internacional de los Refugiados en América Central, México y Panamá CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, COLOMBIA 22 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1984 D E C L A R A C I Ó N D E C ...... -
Strengthening protection in Mexico, Central America and Cuba
1 Nov 2003 ... Strengthening Protection in Mexico, Central America and Cuba Context The region continues to see a steady growth in migrants, with proportionately smaller numbers of asylum-seekers amongst them. Many ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2000 - Central America Regional Overview
1 Jun 2001 ... M A J O R D E V E L O P M E N T S Asylum-seekers fleeing the Colombian conflict arrived in greater numbers throughout Central America. The country most affected was Costa Rica, which registered 1,456 ...... -
U.S. announcement on Central America refugees highlights seriousness of situation, UNHCR
14 Jan 2016 ... reiterated its serious concern for the welfare of large numbers of people who continue to flee deadly violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras - the Northern Triangle of Central America (NTCA). ......