UNHCR 95th Standing Committee - Statement by the EU and its Member States - Agenda item 3 (a) Regional updates: Americas
UNHCR 95th Standing Committee 24-26 March 2026
Agenda item 3 (a) Regional updates: Americas
Statement by the EU and its Member States
Chair,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The European Union highly commends the substantial efforts made by host countries across Latin America and the Caribbean towards regularisation and inclusion of a large number of the millions of people displaced in the region. In a region which hosts approximately one-sixth of the world’s forcibly displaced and has been heavily impacted by reductions in humanitarian funding, the EU and its Members States have continuously supported these efforts, which are vital for maintaining stability and ensuring that the most vulnerable populations can receive the support they require.
We are closely monitoring the evolving humanitarian situation in Venezuela and in the region. The EU continues to uphold and promote full respect for human rights, international law and the principles of the UN Charter under all circumstances. Serious humanitarian challenges remain in Venezuela, however there is space for strengthened regional cooperation, aligned with UNHCR’s mandate to protect refugees and support sustainable solutions for displacement, as well as establishing an early preparedness plan for potential returns.
We wish to draw attention to the severe humanitarian crisis in Haiti, one of the most acute in the world. Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by increased violence and forced displacement in Colombia, Ecuador, Central America and Mexico.Given the current situation in Cuba and the possibility of population movements, the EU is closely monitoring the situation.
We underline the importance of addressing the root causes of forced displacement in the region, including insecurity, human rights violations and the growing impact of climate change. Comprehensive approaches linking humanitarian action, development cooperation and peace building, alongside strengthened local governance responses, remain essential. Given the potential aggravation of mixed migration flows and the risk of large-scale deportations, we count on UNHCR for further collaboration and joint advocacy in the region.
We call on UNHCR to persist in their efforts to monitor, coordinate, and advocate for displaced populations across Latin America and the Caribbean. Collaborative efforts, including strengthened cooperation with IOM, are crucial in providing effective interventions and support. In that sense, coordination mechanisms and platforms for the response to mixed flows in the region such as MIRPS, the Quito Process, Cartagena+40 and R4V should leverage complementarities, incorporate new technologies and be adapted quickly to emerging displacement trends.
The EU and its Member States remain committed to the regional dimension of our partnership with UNHCR and strongly encourage all partners, including development actors and International Financial Institutions, to increase their engagement to ensure a more effective and sustainable response to support refugees and displaced persons in the region.
Thank you