UNHCR 86th Standing Committee - Agenda item 3 a) Regional updates: iv) Americas - EU Statement

Chair,

I am speaking on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

1.         The EU and its Member States share UNHCR’s concern regarding the continuously high level of forced displacement in the Americas region, including mixed movements. We commend UNHCR for its important work and advocacy on protection and solutions in the region, together with partners.

2.         The Venezuela regional crisis remains of great concern, both inside the country and in neighboring countries where over 7 million Venezuelans have fled. The next International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants on 16 -17 March 2023, will be organized by the EU and Canada in close cooperation with both UNHCR and IOM in their role as co-leads of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela. Along the Quito Process, this regional coordination framework has produced positive results towards refugee protection and inclusion into national systems. We commend the countries in the region, notably Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, whom we thank for generously hosting millions of Venezuelans. Thanks to UNHCR’s guidance, many Latin American countries have adopted progressive and inclusive policies towards Venezuelans, such as granting asylum, implementing legal stay arrangements, and facilitating access to documentation and basic socioeconomic rights. As spontaneous return and repatriation to Venezuela have increased, we would welcome more information on how UNHCR plans to support local authorities and communities in receiving returnees.

3.         In Colombia, the EU and its Member States fully support the ongoing peace dialogue and the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement. Yet, clashes with non-State armed groups have led to new forced displacements. As part of the UN Secretary General’s Agenda on Internal Displacement, we reiterate our support for the resolution of IDP challenges in Colombia, including in urban areas. We commend UNHCR for taking into account the disproportionate impact of violence on Afro-Colombians and indigenous communities. We are concerned by the increasingly dangerous population movements through the Darién Gap, on their way to North America. We would welcome further details on UNHCR’s assistance to those in need of international protection in this remote area and what cooperation is ongoing with other aid organizations for a collective response and advocacy.

4.         The situation in Central America and Mexico also requires our continued attention and support. To this end, the EU, together with the United States, Canada, OCHA and NRC convened on 15 February a High-level Solidarity Roundtable in Geneva to support the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plans for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The impact on forcibly displaced populations is compounded by disasters, climate change, food insecurity, poverty, inequalities, economic shocks and violence – including sexual and gender-based violence. These conditions complicate mixed movement patterns, as well as UNHCR’s task. They have the potential to drive more people to move within and across borders. The humanitarian situation in Northern Central American countries therefore requires our urgent attention and additional funding. We encourage UNHCR to further engage with new, emerging and development donors, as well as to facilitate the interaction between the different coordination mechanisms on forced displacement in Central America and Mexico.

5.         The Summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in July 2023 will be an important opportunity to further strengthen our partnership and maintain joint efforts to strengthen peace and sustainable development in this region. With our support, we expect UNHCR and other partners to continue assisting the most vulnerable forcibly displaced persons, especially Nicaraguans and Haitians. Over the years, the entire region has demonstrated exceptional levels of solidarity, inclusion and access to essential protection services. We trust that further progress is within reach, notably on expanding access to education and durable solutions.

Thank you.