AMERICAS MONTHLY REPORT © UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo

December 2019

AMERICAS MONTHLY REPORT © UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo. Venezuelans Ricardo and Maria hold Venezuelans © UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo. their one-month-old son at a shelter in Manaus, Brazil.

This document provides an overview of key developments affecting the displacement situation in the Americas and some UNHCR response activities in line with the 2019 strategic objectives for the region.

VENEZUELA SITUATION 768,146 REGISTERED ASYLUM-SEEKERS (as of 5 January 2020)

4.8 MILLION 377,047 IN PERU 135,033 IN BRAZIL REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS 105,421 IN U.S.A 17,981 IN MEXICO from Venezuela living abroad (as of 5 December 2019) 58,597 IN SPAIN

3.9 MILLION OVER 2,1 MILLION VENEZUELANS WITH in Latin America and the Caribbean states REGULAR STATUS including resident permits (as of 5 January 2020) (as of 5 January 2020)

KEY DEVELOPMENTS In Ecuador, the Constitutional Court issued a decision which sets a legal precedent for non-detention of On 5 December, Brazil recognized 21,432 Venezuelan a person for his or her migratory situation, makes asylum-seekers as refugees. The number of deportation a final resort and sets the circumstances recognitions is almost twice as many as those granted under which a person cannot be deported (i.e. victims since 1997. The decision was based on a presumption of trafficking, refugees, and people who have not been of inclusion resulting from the objective circumstances able to regularize their situation). The decision prohibits prevailing in Venezuela, which Brazil had characterized initiating deportation processes based on information earlier in the year as “serious and generalized violations obtained by public institutions that receive refugees and of human rights” (broader refugee criteria contained migrants, strengthens the principle of non-refoulement, in the Brazilian Refugee Protection Act). You can read non-detention for migratory status and recognizes more here. the presence in the territory of people who cannot In Colombia, 26,800 birth certificates have been regularize their status for reasons beyond their control marked (sometimes retroactively) with the sentence (included their economic situation). “valid to demonstrate nationality” since the start of the On 27 December, Paraguay recognized 720 implementation in August 2019 of the Government’s Venezuelans as refugees (including 112 children) using measure granting nationality to children born in a prima facie approach. This comes as a result of an Colombia to Venezuelan parents, whose nationality was ordinary meeting of the CONARE after discussions on undetermined. See a video on this clicking here. UNHCR Guidance Note in June, where the Commission December 2019 AMERICAS MONTHLY REPORT

had debated its application and approved the use of a of the classes as a means of local integration and social merged RSD. cohesion. With regards inclusion of the refugee population, efforts in the region include a wide ragnge of activities. Under UNHCR RESPONSE DURING THE PERIOD the European Union DEVCO-funded ‘Inclusive Cities, Communities of Solidarity’ project, UNHCR and ILO facilitated a workshop for the Municipal Association In order to strengthen refugee status determination of Great Santo Domingo (MGSD), in the Dominican processes and the quality of registration in the region, Republic. Participants discussed the potential to integrate UNHCR’s Quality Assurance Initiative support to CONARE the Venezuelan population into their planning. in Brazil included the recruitment of 11 positions. Also in this country, and aimed at fostering labour Also in Brazil, as part of a support program of cash inclusion, UNHCR and ILO co-hosted a presentation transfers to population of concern to UNHCR, some 1,636 on market assessment to the National Roundtable for people (547 households) received a total of USD 118,000. Labour Migration presided by the Ministry of Labour. Of them, 94% of the beneficiaries receiving transfers Recommendations were made on how to integrate were Venezuelan households, while 6% correspond to Venezuelans into the formal labour markets. nationals from different countries. In Colombia, UNHCR promoted the inclusion into the In Santiago de Chile, UNHCR and its partner World Vision labour market of Venezuelans through activities in several continued reinforcing child protection initiatives, and regions. In Antioquia, UNHCR and partners held a job fair opened a second child-friendly space/ day-care centre, reaching 2,100 people (1,300 of whom were Venezuelans) which will have the capacity to host some 25 children and with employment opportunities across different sectors. parents. The centre will provide psychosocial support, Additionally, in the city of Medellin, 249 participants of orientation and integral support to Venezuelan families the “Graduation Model” pilot program completed certified who have just arrived in the country. vocational training. In Norte de Santander, UNHCR Focused on children integration, in Guyana, UNHCR held and government partners organized a breakfast for 15 graduation ceremonies for children who participated in its companies that are members of the National Business community-based English as a Second Language classes Federation to disseminate information about the legal in Mabaruma (bordering Venezuela) in 2019. Whit some framework to employ Venezuelans as well as share good 450 persons attending the graduation ceremonies, these practices from the private sector. events demonstrated the communities’ active support To promote inclusion, community activities are also key. In Lima (Peru), more than 600 volunteers from various countries joined forces and cleaned three kilometres of the Rimac River, collecting two tons of waste. This mega event was led by the Gracias Brigade, a group of Venezuelan volunteers, within the framework of the #TuCausaEsMiCausa campaign co-led by UNHCR and OIM. UNHCR Colombia’s anti-xenophobia campaign Somos Panas partnered with UNICEF to produce a TV series 26,800 birth certificates titled Friends Without Borders aimed at children between of Venezuelan children 6-12 years-old. The series tells stories of friendships marked “valid to demonstrate between Colombian and Venezuelan children, promoting nationality” in Colombia. tolerance regardless of nationality or country of origin.

The Ecuadorian UNHCR's financial requirements 2019for the Constitutional Court Venezuela Situation (7 January 2020) issued a decision for FUNDING UPDATE | 2019 non-detention of a person for his or her migratory situation. $158.2 million required Paraguay recognized 720 VENEZUELA $158.2 millionVenezuelans as refugees. 81%80% Tightly earmarked SITUATION Earmarked UNHCR's financial requirements 2019 1 funded 2 as of 9 December 2019 Softly earmarked (indicative allocation) TightlyUnearmarked earmarked (indicative allocation) Brazil recognized 21,432 Earmarked SoftlyFunding earmarked gap (indicative) (indicative allocation) asylum-seekers as refugees. Unearmarked (indicative allocation) Funding gap (indicative)

CONTRIBUTIONS 3 | USD Unearmarked Softly Earmarked Tightly Total earmarked earmarked United States of America - 18,836,748 39,836,380 - 58,673,128 European Union - - - 15,799,761 15,799,761 Japan - 903,016 - 6,596,359 7,499,375 Germany - 7,227,166 - - 7,227,166 CERF - - - 3,757,735 3,757,735 Italy - 368,098 1,827,090 - 2,195,188 Canada - 1,519,757 - - 1,519,757 Austria - - 1,141,553 - 1,141,553 Ireland - 1,122,334 - - 1,122,334 Brazil - - 1,069,233 - 1,069,233 USA for UNHCR - 1,000,000 - - 1,000,000 Rituals Cosmetics Enterprise BV - - - 789,967 789,967 France - - 750,000 - 750,000 New Zealand - 666,628 - - 666,628 Norway - 574,977 - - 574,977 Sweden - 549,995 - - 549,995 Switzerland - - 504,032 - 504,032 Republic of Korea - - 500,000 - 500,000 Private donors Germany - 423,993 - 37,716 461,709 Private donors Spain - 441,832 - - 441,832 Miscellaneous donors in Canada - 266,442 - - 266,442 Iceland - 249,314 - - 249,314 Colombia - - 106,323 - 106,323 Czechia - 101,523 - - 101,523 UN Children Fund - - - 22,334 22,334 Miscellaneous private donors - 168,025 100 55,903 224,029 Sub-total - 34,419,848 45,734,711 27,059,775 107,214,334 Indicative allocation of funds and adjustments 2,529,223 13,118,531 6,256,885 (2,003,967) 19,900,671 Total 2,529,223 47,538,378 51,991,596 25,055,808 127,115,005

Methodology: Unearmarked funding is allocated and reallocated multiple times during the year to allow UNHCR to fund prioritised activities. This funding update includes an indicative allocation of funds so as to accurately represent the resources available for the situation. The contributions earmarked for the Venezuela Situation shown above are combined with an indicative allocation of the softly earmarked and unearmarked contributions listed below. This allocation respects different levels of earmarking. Adjustments relate to programme support costs and carry-over.

UNEARMARKED CONTRIBUTIONS 5 | USD

UNHCR Division of External Relations 1 of 2 December 2019 AMERICAS MONTHLY REPORT

INSIDE VENEZUELA In order to support national institutions such as the Office of the Ombudsperson, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Civil Registry or the Children Protection Council, UNHCR in Venezuela donated equipment and office supplies in several locations across the country during December. Also, to support the provision of medical services, relief items as solar lamps or equipment were distributed to the Emergency Medical System of Amazonas (SIUMA) or the Machiques Hospital, among others. Considering difficulties to access basic services, persons with special needs, as pregnant and breastfeeding women, older persons and persons with disabilities, require increased attention. As such, relief items as assisted across the country. solar lamps are regularly distributed. During December, population in the indigenous community of El Tukuko, To gain a better understanding of the situation of among others, received items. the population on concern to UNHCR, participatory assessments provide an opportunity to share with In order to foster access to education, 600 desks and communities. During December, sessions were held in the chairs were delivered to El Cruce Bolivarian High School, indigenous community of Marewua. As identified, high which has seen enrolment increase by 300% this year risk of malnutrition among children, risks of gender based due to arrivals of internally displaced persons from violence, lack of school teachers and lack of infrastructure Venezuela’s inland regions. Others school have also been are negatively affecting the population.

NORTH OF CENTRAL 386,480 REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS from North of Central America AMERICA SITUATION worldwide

53,810 NEW ASYLUM APPLICATIONS of NCA nationals in 2019

41,406 ASYLUM CLAIMS IN MEXICO from NCA Nationals received in 2019

601,585 APREHENSIONS OF NATIONALS FROM NORTH OF CENTRAL AMERICA in USA and Mexico between Jan-Aug 2019, a 149% increase compared to 2018

318,590 IDPS IN HONDURAS AND EL SALVADOR

Level Dialogue (HLD) on Forced Displacement in the KEY DEVELOPMENTS Western Hemisphere was held on 3 and 4 December. The two-day event focused on the situation in Central During the first everWorld Refugee Forum held in America, the U.S. southern border, U.S. domestic asylum Geneva last December, a high-level event served and protection issues, and the Venezuela situation. to launch the support platform for the regional Participants from all government agencies that UNHCR comprehensive framework to address forced works with attended. The Dialogue provided an effective displacement in Central America, called MIRPS. States, platform for strengthening relationships between UNHCR the private sector, civil society, and other actors gathered and United States partners on the issues discussed. to express their support for those forced to flee from As has been known in December, from January to 31 countries as Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. December 2019, some 70,302 people applied for asylum The event, sponsored by the UN Refugee Agency, in in Mexico (137% increase when compared to 2018). coordination with the Mexican government as President There was an average of 5,900 applications per month, Pro Tempore of the MIRPS, was aimed at raising July being the highest (8,685) and December the lowest awareness on the situation that has forced to flee some (3,346). Almost 80% of the applications were covered by 800,000 people. Read more here. nationals of Honduras (43%), El Salvador (13%), Cuba (12%) In Washington (United States), the third Annual High- and Venezuela (11%). December 2019 AMERICAS MONTHLY REPORT

UNHCR RESPONSE DURING THE PERIOD Since the beginning of 2019, more than 5,188 people have been relocated to central and northern cities in Mexico under the Relocation, Job Placement and People from the North of Central America continue to Local Integration Programme. 5,856 people have been leave their countries, fleeing violence, persecution and relocated since the program started in 2016. insecurity, as well as deteriorating economic conditions. In Honduras, 180 young participants successfully Through extensive field presence and in collaboration graduated from a nine-month artistic communitarian with a wide range of civil society partners, UNHCR initiative ‘Arte Comunitario’, which targets youth from two provides responses to protect the rights of internally high-risk neighbourhoods in San Pedro Sula. The initiative displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers and others jointly designed and implemented by the San Pedro Sula of concern to UNHCR in the region, strengthening the Municipality, UNHCR and Children International, seeks to protection systems, reception conditions and ramping up mitigate youth-related risks identified at the community assistance capacity, while facilitating durable solutions level, i.e. recruitment by gangs and gender-based During December, UNHCR and partners continued violence. undertaking monitoring missions to the borders, including with Honduras and Mexico, in order to evaluate trends of displacement. The office has established presence in key border locations where information on the right to seek asylum for people forced to flee. NICARAGUA SITUATION UNHCR in El Salvador and the Ombudsperson´s Office implemented the first of a series of protection monitoring exercises in the municipality of Moncagua, in the San Miguel Department. It is expected that additional 92,745 NICARAGUANS FORCED TO FLEE exercises will be organized in 2020. SINCE APRIL 2018 (includes registered asylum-seekers and those waiting to formalize their claim) As reported with the updated profiling study on internal displacement in Honduras released in December, during In Nicaragua, a general environment of threat and the period from 2004 to 2018, at least 247,000 people insecurity continues to be reported. Due to controls were displaced by violence in the country. According to carried out by the national police and pro-government the findings, there was a higher incidence in households groups, interrogations of people convening in groups headed by women and with a greater number of children larger than three individuals have increased. The in them. Direct threats, homicides and mobility restrictions escalation of violence against the Catholic Church are the main triggers of displacement according to the has targeted priests and parishioners with attacks by report. In 48% of cases, displaced people identify gangs government supporters. Entrepreneurs and private sector as main perpetrators. The report [ES] can be found here . are beginning to be singled out through political pressure. UNHCR staff working in the new registration centre Since the onset of the crisis in April 2018, thousands have in Tapachula (Mexico) have reached out to all asylum- fled the country seeking safety in neighbouring countries seekers waiting for a registration appointment and have as well as in the U.S. and Spain. While the majority have been able to close the backlog. Asylum-seekers are settled in Costa Rica, resulting in an overstretched legal now waiting on average two weeks to undergo a full system, the impact of the crisis is also affecting the limited registration interview. During December, on average asylum capacity in other countries. 1,000 people were registered every week. UNHCR Costa Rica continued cooperating with the Aimed at improving access to safe water for population Government in its process of streamlining the refugee on the move and local communities, hydration stations status determination procedure. UNHCR has helped were delivered to 20 health services in the Municipality to review a total of 542 cases, the majority of which of Tecún Umán, Guatemala. Information materials on the fall within the profiles of “persons who participated in right to seek asylum were handed over as well. protests” or “students.” By the end of 2020, some 74,555 Nicaraguans had claimed asylum in Costa Rica. UNHCR's financial requirements 2019for NORTH OF In the northern region of Costa Rica, UNHCR and CENTRAL AMERICA Situation (7 January 2020) implementing partners have strengthened community initiatives, as information sessions and counselling FUNDING UPDATEprovided| 2019 in Upala with the participation of 137 persons of $91.5 million concern to UNHCR. The first intercommunity meetup for required children was also held with some 48 attendants. To respond to the health needs of population of concern, NORTH OF CENTRALUNHCR and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund signed an agreement last December to provide health insurance Tightly earmarked $91.5 million 43%41% AMERICA SITUATIONto 6,000 people for a period of one year beginning in 1 funded2 Earmarked UNHCR's financial requirements 2019 funded Softly earmarked as of 9 DecemberJanuary 2019 2020; many of the recipients are expected to be (indicative allocation) individuals from Nicaragua. TightlyUnearmarked earmarked (indicative allocation) Earmarked In San Jose and in Costa Rica´s northern region, a total of Funding gap (indicative) Softly earmarked (indicative allocation)893 households received the final payment of the three- Unearmarked (indicative allocation) month multipurpose cash assistance, 79% Nicaraguan. Funding gap (indicative)

CONTRIBUTIONS 3 | USD Unearmarked Softly Earmarked Tightly Total earmarked earmarked United States of America - - 10,593,110 - 10,593,110 European Union - - - 1,863,221 1,863,221 Switzerland - - - 502,008 502,008 Canada - 455,927 - 37,994 493,921 UN Peacebuilding Fund - - - 294,518 294,518 Nacional Monte Piedad, I.A.P. - - 173,267 - 173,267 Miscellaneous donors in Canada - 161,111 - - 161,111 Spain - - - 28,539 28,539 Miscellaneous private donors - 13,919 133,446 - 147,364 Sub-total - 630,957 10,899,823 2,726,280 14,257,060 Indicative allocation of funds and adjustments 11,342,731 9,036,706 1,600,119 1,577,357 23,556,913 Total 11,342,731 9,667,663 12,499,942 4,303,637 37,813,973 Methodology: Unearmarked funding is allocated and reallocated multiple times during the year to allow UNHCR to fund prioritised activities. This funding update includes an indicative allocation of funds so as to accurately represent the resources available for the situation. The contributions earmarked for the North of Central America Situation shown above are combined with an indicative allocation of the softly earmarked and unearmarked contributions listed below. This allocation respects different levels of earmarking. Adjustments relate to programme support costs and carry-over.

Notes: 1. The financial requirements of the North of Central America Situation include requirements in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama RO. 2. The percentage funded (41%) and total funding amount ($37,813,973) are indicative based on the methodology described above. This leaves an indicative funding gap of $53,646,310 representing 59% of the financial requirements. 3. Contributions to the North of Central America Situation are shown by the earmarking modality as defined in the Grand Bargain. 4. Due to their earmarking at a related region, sub-region, country or theme, the other softly earmarked contributions listed are those which can potentially be used for the North of Central America Situation. Where a donor has contributed $2 million or more, the total amount of the contribution is shown. 5. Contributed without restrictions on its use, unearmarked funding allows UNHCR critical flexibility in how best to reach refugees and other populations of concern who are in the greatest need and at the greatest risk. Where a donor has contribution $10 million or more, the total amount of the contribution is shown.

For more information: http://reporting.unhcr.org Follow us on @UNHCRgov

UNHCR Division of External Relations 1 of 1 December 2019 AMERICAS MONTHLY REPORT

December continued to increase the number of confined COLOMBIA SITUATION and displaced communities in the municipality of Alto Baudó, Chocó. UNHCR, NRC and WFP coordinated the emergency response with the Victims Unit. 8.8 MILLION VICTIMS OF CONFLICT In Tumaco, Nariño, a protection cluster group (GTP) session was organized to analyze the response to the 7.9 MILLION INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE recent massive displacements in the Department, which since 1985 raised to 22 by December. As part of efforts to continue supporting responses to PEOPLE DISPLACED IN INDIVIDUAL 51,775 internally displaced populations (IDP), UNHCR in Nariño DISPLACEMENTS IN 2019 organized a session on institutional assistance with several public institutions, including a local hospital, DISPLACED PEOPLE AFFECTED BY 20,463 providing mental health services. A total of 219 IDPs were LARGE GROUP DISPLACEMENTS in 2019 assisted, mainly from the village of Guachal, from which a large number of people have recently been displaced. COLOMBIAN REFUGEES IN ECUADOR 66,742 Under the land legalization project, during the year by the end of October 2019 2019, nine settlements in Bogotá (Cundinamarca) were formalized and two obtained property title benefiting 12.571 people. In 2020, UNHCR expects to continue with Armed clashes and presence of combatants in 15 urban legalization cases, and nine rural formalization indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities during processes.