
Guatemala is a gateway for refugees fleeing Central America and heading north to the United States. Hondurans and Salvadorans fleeing gang wars and high murder rates travel through Guatemala until they reach crossing points into Mexico. The route is hazardous, particularly for young people.
©UNHCR / Tito Herrera
In line with the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees and the CRRF, MIRPS countries have committed to working on advancing the following pillars:
- Reception and admission
- Strengthening the capacity to receive, identify, document and refer people of concern.
- Provide alternatives to detention for asylum seekers, and guarantee the principle of non-sanction for irregular entry.
- Immediate needs
- Humanitarian assistance and income-generating projects for refugees and asylum seekers.
- Reintegration programmes for returnees and legal counselling for people with protection needs in transit.
- Support to host countries and communities
- Support host communities and strengthen the response and coordination with local actors, including civil society and private sector.
- Prioritize communities affected by violence within national development plans.
- Enhance opportunities for durable solutions
- Include refugees, returnees and displaced communities within existing programmes and promote specific public policies and self-reliance programmes/