MEXICO GLOBAL APPEAL 2015 UPDATE Planned presence Number of offices 3 Total personnel 37 International staff 4 National staff 11 Others 22 2015 plan at a glance* 3,490 People (PoC) USD 4.1 million Overall funding requirements * All PoC figures refer to projected 2015 end-year information at time of planning (mid-2014) Overview Working environment zmexico is part of a broad migration pattern in the region with as many as 400,000 people entering and transiting the country each year. High levels of criminal violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have led to the flight of increasing numbers of people, who try to enter Mexico either to transit towards North America or to seek international protection within Mexico. Insecurity, human rights violations and persecution perpetrated mainly by non-state actors, such as gangs and criminal groups, are at the source of such displacement. zmoreover, fragile law enforcement agencies and judicial systems in countries of origin are often unable to protect victims. The situation affects adolescents and children in particular. zin this complex operational environment, UNHCR s capacity to provide the required legal and material assistance for people in need of international protection is limited financially. Moreover, given the country s size and extensive border regions, additional UNHCR field presence is required to reach out to regions where an increasing number of people are arriving. zthe protection environment in Mexico is positive, with strong international laws and active collaboration between the authorities and UNHCR. Unfortunately, access to the Refugee Status Determination UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 Update Mexico 1
(RSD) procedure remains limited in the absence of sufficient systematic screening tools to detect people with protection risks. zmigrants and asylum-seekers who enter Mexico irregularly are automatically detained in migration detention facilities administered by the authorities. Detention, and the absence of viable alternatives, remain a deterrent to seeking asylum in Mexico. Consequently, this has rendered the international protection needs of people fleeing criminal violence and persecution in Central America almost invisible. In light of this, Mexico has been selected as a pilot country for the implementation of UNHCR s global detention strategy for the period 2014-2018. z While refugees have access to basic public services, their access to the formal labour market remains limited. In 2014, the Government of Mexico City extended its unemployment insurance scheme to all refugees living in Mexico City, and the Mexican Commission for Refugees (COMAR) has initiated several actions aimed at expanding refugees access to formal job opportunities at the national level. People As of June 2014, COMAR had registered 840 new asylum-seekers and 1,963 refugees and beneficiaries of complementary protection. Most asylum-seekers and refugees in Mexico are originally from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Since 2010, an alarming increase in the number of unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) has been reported by UNHCR. Some 2,800 migrant children were detained in 2011, and the number peaked in 2013, with almost 9,900 children being identified, detained and deported in 2013. In 2014, two UNHCR-commissioned studies found that violence caused by gangs and sophisticated criminal actors operating in the region, as well as violence perpetrated by private actors and targeting girls, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals, contributed significantly to the displacement of UASC across the region. Planning figures Type of population Origin Jan 2015 Dec 2015 Total in country Of whom assisted by UNHCR Total in country Of whom assisted by UNHCR Guatemala 370 40 380 40 Refugees Honduras 310 70 330 80 El Salvador 430 70 450 70 Various 900 140 950 140 Cuba 120 10 130 10 Asylum-seekers Honduras 480 30 490 20 El Salvador 260 40 270 30 Various 490 100 500 100 Stateless Stateless 20-20 10 Total 3,370 480 3,490 490 Response Needs and strategies UNHCR s strategy in Mexico for 2015 will focus on strengthening the asylum system by increasing the country s observance of due process guarantees and expanding protection space. Efforts will focus on improving access to the RSD system and supporting projects to ensure a fair and effective process. Additionally, the increasing number of asylum claims from Central Americans fleeing criminal violence and persecution has led the Office to pursue a multi-year protection strategy. This includes a child-protection strategy for strengthening protection and care according to the best-interest principle; a strategy to enhance the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against people of concern; a national detention action plan, aiming to support the Government to end the detention of asylum-seekers and refugee children, while creating viable alternatives to detention and improving detention conditions. UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 Update Mexico 2
Local integration remains the preferred and most reachable durable solution for refugees, with few opting for repatriation. The Office will therefore pursue the elaboration and implementation of a comprehensive local integration strategy, focused on urban locations. Related to the alarming increase in the numbers of UASC, UNHCR will support identification and referral mechanisms that allow migration authorities to identify, assess and refer individuals in need of international protection to the appropriate response and protection mechanisms. Main objectives and targets for 2015 The following matrix contains examples of some of the main activities planned in 2015. Using a selection of objectives from UNHCR s programme plans for the 2014-2015 biennium, it is designed to illustrate: what - under the global needs assessment planning and prioritization process - has been planned (Planned activities) for particular groups of people (People ); the identified needs that can be covered if full and flexible funding is made available (2015 comprehensive target); and the needs that may not be met if funding falls short of the ExCom-approved budget (Potential gap). The estimation of a potential gap is based on the country operation s own assessment of the likely impact of a global funding shortfall. Calculations are based on various criteria, including the particular context, strategic priorities and experience of resource availability for the respective area of activity in previous years. Activities under objectives on child protection (including best interest determination), education and prevention and response to sexual and genderbased violence (SGBV) are core areas which are given priority in the allocation of funding (priority area). In order to ensure the necessary flexibility in the allocation of funds, UNHCR relies on unrestricted contributions from its donors. It should be understood that in some cases, targets for activities or delivery of services may not be reached for reasons other than a funding shortfall, e.g. lack of access to people, cases not reported, changing circumstances, security problems, insufficient capacity to implement all programmes planned, etc. In the Global Report 2015, an explanation of why any target may not have been reached will be provided. Planned activities People of concern (PoC) 2015 comprehensive target Potential gap FAVOURABLE PROTECTION ENVIRONMENT Access to legal assistance and legal remedies improved UNHCR will continue to support local legal service providers and advocate for new initiatives that benefit asylum-seekers in need of legal assistance. Extent to which PoC have access to legal assistance Law and policy developed or strengthened 50% 0 gap UNHCR will continue to offer technical assistance to legislators and government officials, particularly the RSD authority, to expand the protection space for refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless people. Extent to which the law is consistent with international standards on prevention of statelessness Extent to which the law is consistent with international standards relating to refugees 80% 0 gap 90% 0 gap UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 Update Mexico 3
Planned activities People of concern (PoC) 2015 comprehensive target Potential gap FAIR PROTECTION PROCESSES AND DOCUMENTATION Access to and quality of status determination procedures improved UNHCR will continue to work with the Government to ensure that asylum-seekers are identified and granted access to status determination procedures. Extent to which applicants have access to status determination procedure Extent to which status determination procedure meets minimum procedural standards advocated by UNHCR Reception conditions improved 85% 0 gap 80% 0 gap UNHCR will provide technical, financial and logistical support to the authorities and civil society in order to facilitate access to adequate reception conditions. Extent to which reception conditions meet minimum standards SECURITY FROM VIOLENCE AND EXPLOITATION Protection of children strengthened 85% 5% UNHCR will provide specialized support for asylum-seeking and refugee children to ensure their best interest is protected and adequate housing and social services are available. Percentage of registered UASC in appropriate interim or longterm alternative care Percentage of UASC for whom a best interest process has been initiated or completed Risk related to detention reduced and freedom of movement increased 60% priority area 20% priority area UNHCR will continue to work to provide alternatives to detention for asylum-seekers and stateless people, with a particular focus on ending the detention of children, and will increase supervisory visits to detention centres across the country to review detention conditions. Number of children detained Number of monitoring visits to detention centres conducted and recorded 0 0 gap 200 70 Coordination Implementation The consolidation of a strategic partnership with the Government, in particular the office of the Under-Secretary for Migration Affairs (covering COMAR), the Family Welfare Agency, the Human Rights and Democracy Directorate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will remain a priority. In parallel, increased cooperation with the legislative and judiciary branches of the Government will continue to be enhanced, to develop joint initiatives to strengthen the legal framework for the protection of people. Based on the successful implementation of the joint Human Security programme, involving UNDP, UNFPA and UNODC, with the support of UNICEF and UN Women as well as IOM, UNHCR will continue to work with the UN system. Equally, other joint initiatives in favour of people will continue to be explored with UN agencies, in particular OHCHR, and the NGO community. UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 Update Mexico 4
Partners Implementing partners NGOs: Programa Casa Refugiados, CAFEMIN, Sin Fronteras, Casa de los Amigos, Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, Casa Alianza, Albergue Belén (Tapachula), Albergue de La 72 (Tenosique) Operational partners Government agencies: Mexican Commission for Refugees, National Migration Institute, and Migratory Policy Unit in the Ministry of the Interior; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National and local Family Welfare Systems; State Governments of Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca; Mexico City s Secretary for Community Equality; the National Supreme Court of Justice and the Congress of the Union Ombudsperson s Offices; National Human Rights Commission; Mexico City s Human Rights Commission; Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca States Human Rights Commissions, National Council to Prevent Discrimination NGOs: Albergue el Buen Pastor, Albergue Belen, Asylum Access, Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez, Comisión Mesoamericana de Juristas, Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Matías de Córdova, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Pastoral de Movilidad Humana and Servicio Jesuita a Migrantes Others: OHCHR, UNDP, UNDSS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNODC, ICRC,IOM, Universidad Iberoamericana, Universidad Panamericana, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto Mora, El Colegio de Mexico, Universidad Anáhuac, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas Financial information Since 2010, the financial resources available for UNHCR s operation in Mexico have been insufficient to respond fully to the operational challenges. In 2015, Mexico s comprehensive financial requirements are set at USD 4.1 million. The programme will place particular focus on improving the identification and referral of asylum-seekers cases. It will also aim to address the protection risks of people within mixed migratory movements; provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and asylum-seekers; and establish a self-reliance and local integration strategy as a durable solution in Mexico. Budgets for Mexico 2010 2015 UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 Update Mexico 5
2015 budget for Mexico USD Budget breakdown PILLAR 1 Refugee programme Total 2014 revised budget (as of 30 June 2014) 2,943,463 2,943,463 Favourable protection environment International and regional instruments 34,799 34,799 Law and policy 69,599 69,599 Access to legal assistance and remedies 121,185 121,185 Access to territory and refoulement risk reduced 410,228 410,228 Public attitude towards people 252,035 252,035 Subtotal 887,845 887,845 Fair protection processes and documentation Reception conditions 569,642 569,642 Registration and profiling 55,997 55,997 Status determination procedures 158,282 158,282 Family reunification 36,676 36,676 Subtotal 820,597 820,597 Security from violence and exploitation Prevention and response to SGBV 354,997 354,997 Freedom of movement and detention risk reduced 47,398 47,398 Protection of children 827,796 827,796 Subtotal 1,230,191 1,230,191 Basic needs and essential services Health 53,128 53,128 Reproductive health and HIV services 95,997 95,997 Services for people with specific needs 137,966 137,966 Education 53,954 53,954 Subtotal 341,044 341,044 Community empowerment and self-reliance Community mobilization 76,561 76,561 Self-reliance and livelihood activities 296,647 296,647 Subtotal 373,208 373,208 Durable solutions Integration 114,698 114,698 Subtotal 114,698 114,698 Leadership, coordination and partnerships Coordination and partnerships 69,599 69,599 Donor relations and resource mobilization 69,599 69,599 Subtotal 139,197 139,197 Logistics and operations support Operations management, coordination and support 181,796 181,796 Subtotal 181,796 181,796 2015 total budget 4,088,576 4,088,576 UNHCR Global Appeal 2015 Update Mexico 6