International Refugee Agency Acknowledges Mexico's Protection of Displaced Individuals; High Commissioner Pens Letter to Foreign Minister De la Fuente
Mexico City, Mexico - The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has received a significant boost in its efforts to support refugees and displaced populations in Mexico and the Central American region. The European Union (EU) has announced a new project worth 22 million pesos for the UNHCR in Mexico.
The project aims to address displacement caused by violence, socio-political instability, and economic hardship in regions heavily impacted by displacement. It will focus on strengthening protection systems, providing humanitarian assistance, and improving access to rights and services for refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants, including women, children, and indigenous groups displaced by conflict or persecution.
The EU's funding will also support local and regional response mechanisms, enhance shelter, education, health services, and legal protection for displaced communities. The project prioritizes vulnerable groups such as LGBT+ populations, women, adolescents, and children.
While specific details about this exact project are limited, EU-UNHCR cooperation in the region traditionally concentrates on these areas and populations, taking into account the ongoing humanitarian crises in Venezuela and other neighboring countries contributing to displacement flows into Mexico.
The UNHCR, despite closing four offices in four states due to the global financial situation, has clarified that it is not leaving Mexico. The offices being closed are in Guadalajara, Jalisco; Tenosique, Tabasco; and Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Palenque, in Chiapas.
The UNHCR representative in Mexico, Giovanni Lepri, has emphasized the importance of a coordinated effort among institutions at the federal and state levels for the handling of refugee requests, asylum, recognition, and integration. Lepri also mentioned the need to strengthen the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR).
The EU Ambassador to Mexico, Francisco André, praised the UNHCR and Mexican authorities for their work with refugees. The initiatives undertaken by the Mexican Government to continue and strengthen its humanitarian policy have also been recognized by Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Mexico will continue to be a significant country in terms of international protection, according to the UNHCR representative in Mexico. The active participation of Mexico in regional initiatives, reflecting a state policy based on solidarity and shared responsibility, was highlighted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Moreover, over 650,000 refugees have found work in Mexico, in collaboration with around 650 companies. The European Union remains the largest donor for global humanitarian action. Despite a reduction in funds, the EU is committed to taking a step forward in humanitarian action.
The new EU project in Mexico will focus on strengthening humanitarian assistance for asylum seekers and refugees in Chiapas, specifically Tapachula, Mexico City, Guerrero, and Michoacán. The project will also prioritize internally displaced Mexican persons in Guerrero and Michoacán.
- The European Union's new project, focused on Chiapas, Mexico City, Guerrero, and Michoacán, aims to strengthen humanitarian assistance for asylum seekers and refugees, aligning with the UNHCR's policy-and-legislation efforts to support displaced populations in Mexico and Central American regions.
- The UNHCR, while closing offices in four states due to financial constraints, remains engaged in Mexico, working collaboratively with the Mexican government and the EU in addressing general-news issues such as providing humanitarian aid, strengthening protection systems, and promoting the rights and services for vulnerable groups, including women, children, and indigenous populations.
