(MENAFN- Caribbean News Now) Central American migrants at the Jesús Martínez 'Palillo' stadium located in the east of Mexico City. A woman holds a poster asking: Are you afraid to return to your country? 6 October 2018.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called on Wednesday [ June 12 ] for an urgent meeting of Central American States on forced displacement, as it is 'straining asylum capacity across the region,' and 'placing growing numbers of individuals and families at grave risk and creating situations that no country can address alone.'
Violence and persecution by powerful gangs in parts of Central America, coupled with a social and political crisis in Nicaragua, are driving growing numbers of people across borders in search of safe haven. So far, this year, close to 600,000 asylum-seekers and migrants have arrived at the southern US border from Mexico, and a reported 196 percent jump in asylum applications.
The UN refugee agency highlights the need for coordinated action to address this challenge 'effectively and sustainably', through a regional approach that would include: the expansion of reception capacity and asylum infrastructures, collective support for local integration programmes, expanded resettlement within and outside the region, and arrangements for safe and dignified returns for those who do not need international protection.
In parallel, the UN stresses the need to address internal displacement before it becomes a cross-border flow. This should include robust development initiatives that address the underlying drivers of violence and displacement.
Women and children from Central America walk through Chiapas state in southern Mexico, October 2018. Ritzau ScanpixCoordinated regional action is also needed to address internal displacement phenomena before they become refugee flows, including robust development initiatives that address the underlying drivers of violence and displacement.
In this respect, UNHCR supports the comprehensive development plan between Mexico and the countries of northern Central America, currently being negotiated.
In recognition of this growing forced displacement phenomenon, UNHCR has developed new approaches to refugee situations and will continue to support governments across the region in delivering comprehensive solutions that are up to the challenge, that are secure, efficient and humane and that promote shared responsibility.
Urgent regional talks, building on existing cooperation, could help drive the fundamental transformative solutions now needed.
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