UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

March 2015 – Latin America and Caribbean countries continue to experience strong economic growth and to implement social programs that help reduce poverty and inequality. Nonetheless, the region remains highly disaster prone and exposed to epidemics. Certain parts of the region are also affected by increasing violence as a result of organized armed groups and gangs. This leads to forced displacement, confinement, limited access to basic services and shrinking humanitarian access in some areas. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) leads and coordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide, protect internally displaced persons and those who are stateless, and searches for lasting solutions to their plight. With the support of DFATD and other donors, UNHCR is providing protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced people and other vulnerable groups in Latin America and the Caribbean. Project activities include: (1) protecting and assisting 5.7 million Colombians either displaced within the country or that have sought refuge in Ecuador and Venezuela as well as other vulnerable groups from the region; (2) providing health, education, and other essential services to refugees in the region, including unaccompanied children, adolescents and women suffering from violence from transnational organized criminal groups; (3) promoting local integration, naturalization and other permanent residence solutions, including resettlement; and (4) advocating for improved adherence to international and regional protection standards throughout the region.