Central America - Supporting Refugees and Asylum Seekers - UNHCR 2016

July 2016 - July 2016 - 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 search for lasting solutions to their plight. Widespread violence and criminal activities are forcing an increasing number of people including women girls and unaccompanied and separated children to flee the Northern Triangle of Central America thus leading to a dramatic increase in asylum applications from these countries in recent years. In 2015 an estimated 230 000 people were apprehended by authorities and returned to their countries of origin. With GAC’s support UNHCR responds to the needs of refugees and asylum-seekers from the NCTA. Project activities include: (1) strengthening the reception conditions registration and access to legal assistance for vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees; (2) improving access to essential services and respond to basic needs of the most vulnerable including women children and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence; (3) improving self-reliance and livelihoods; and (4) promoting the protection of at-risk girls and boys from all forms of violence abuse neglect and exploitation.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) strengthened reception conditions registration and access to legal assistance; (2) improved access to essential services; (3) increased livelihoods opportunities; and (4) reduced violence abuse neglect and exploitation against at-risk girls and boys. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or that are food insecure.