Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05GENEVA2567
2005-10-21 11:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
US Mission Geneva
Cable title:  

UNHCR: EXCOM CABLE # 7: MEXICO PLAN OF ACTION

Tags:  PREF UNHCR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GENEVA 002567 

SIPDIS

USEU FOR MEZNAR, USUN FOR MALY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF UNHCR
SUBJECT: UNHCR: EXCOM CABLE # 7: MEXICO PLAN OF ACTION

REF: GENEVA 2465

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GENEVA 002567

SIPDIS

USEU FOR MEZNAR, USUN FOR MALY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF UNHCR
SUBJECT: UNHCR: EXCOM CABLE # 7: MEXICO PLAN OF ACTION

REF: GENEVA 2465


1. (U) Summary. Government representatives, NGOs and UN
staff turned out in force to voice support for the Mexico
Plan of Action (POA) during a special session on the margins
of the UNHCR Executive Committee meeting. While there was
some concern over the lack of resources targeted for the
region, there was a general feeling of satisfaction and
support for the strategic plan that calls on states,
international organizations and NGOs to reinforce protection
regimes in the region, support durable solutions and
strengthen partnerships across the board. UNHCR still needs
USD 8 million to implement activities under the POA in 2005.
End Summary.

The Mexico Plan of Action
- - - - - - - - - - - - -


2. (U) The Chair of EXCOM, Ambassador Martabit of Chile,
opened the panel discussion on the Mexico Plan of Action
(POA) by expressing his concern over the lack of resources to
respond to the refugee and internally displaced person (IDP)
situation in Latin America. According to Martabit, current
UNHCR staff, programs and funding cannot meet the needs of
the estimated 3 million persons of concern to UNHCR in the
region. UNHCR High Commissioner Guterres responded to
Martabit's remarks by adding that the region has the capacity
and the will to open borders and provide assistance, but that
their resources were not proportionate to the actual needs of
the refugees and IDPs. Norwegian Refugee Committee (NRC),
the NGO representative on the panel, provided background on
their role to coordinate all civil society actors to assist
in the implementation of the POA. NRC opined that the
relationship between governments, civil society and UNHCR
needs more commitment from all sides to work together on a
national and regional level.


3. (U) UNHCR Head of the Americas Bureau Phillippe Lavanchy
reaffirmed the POA's goal to serve refugee and IDP
populations in the region. He said that the success of the
POA lay in the commitment and willingness of countries to
take in refugees, but stressed that more support is needed to
assist more than 3 million in need in the region. UNHCR
still needs USD 8 million to implement activities under the
POA in 2005.


4. (U) The POA is focused on reinforcing protection regimes
in the region, finding durable solutions for both refugees
and IDPs and strengthening partnerships involved in assisting
these populations. In order to reinforce protection regimes,

UNHCR is working on programs to document the populations of
concern including the 2-3 million IDPs in Colombia, plus the
42,000 refugees and asylum seekers in neighboring states and
the 50,000 individuals who remain under the radar screen in
the region. The POA focuses on working to achieve
self-sufficiency and local integration in cities (Cities of
Solidarity program),revitalizing social and economic
development in border areas (Borders of Solidarity program)
and establishing a resettlement program in Latin American
countries to ease the burden of refugees in refugee hosting
countries.

Achievements, Challenges and Next Steps
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


5. (U) Since the plan was signed in 2004, UNHCR has assisted
countries in drafting new refugee legislation, expanded
programs on protection for border authorities, reinforced
protection networks and increased protection staff in the
field. This also includes the adoption of new protection
regimes in Argentina and continuing dialogue with Chile,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay
on new draft legislation on asylum and refugee status
determination procedures. UNHCR has also promoted durable
solutions in the region through the expansion of micro-credit
and job placement schemes in Costa Rica and implemented
community based initiatives in refugee hosting areas in
Ecuador. In Colombia, UNHCR is working with the government
authorities in urban areas to guarantee IDPs access to
housing, education, employment, health care, and income
generation projects. UNHCR is also assisting IDPs in
protecting their property rights. Major progress has also
been made in the resettlement area of the POA. UNHCR has
resettled 200 refugees to Brazil and Chile since November
2004; referred 700 Colombians for resettlement from Ecuador
and Costa Rica in the first half of 2005; and signed a
resettlement agreement with Argentina. UNHCR hopes to
resettle some 40 Colombian refugees currently in Ecuador and
Costa Rica in Argentina by the end of this year.


6. (U) Despite these achievements, UNHCR continues to face
challenges in the implementation of the POA. Implementing
protection in conflict situations such as Colombia has proven
difficult and resources remain insufficient. Many countries
in the region do not have refugee legislation in place that
provides guidance on refugee protection and UNHCR is working
with countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia on adoption of new
refugee legislation in line with international standards.
Wide coverage of legal aid services for refugees and IDPs is
lacking and there is a need for increased access for refugees
and IDPs in the labor market.


7. (U) UNHCR hopes to strengthen self-employment through
micro-credit programs, develop more concrete links between
relief aid and long-term assistance, and address the
socio-economic needs of women. UNHCR is also working to
expand resettlement opportunities in Latin America by
developing a more streamlined and accelerated resettlement
process and by expanding resettlement agreements with other
countries in the region such as Uruguay and Mexico. Other
areas that need improvement include improving relations
between refugees and refugee hosting communities. UNHCR
plans to raise more awareness and assistance for activities
under the POA through donor briefings, and by exploring the
field for new donors in the region, including the private
sector. UNHCR's overall goals under the POA are to increase
awareness, reinforce partnerships and develop a common
strategy towards refugees and IDPs.


8. (U) While most governments and NGOs responded
enthusiastically to UNHCR's presentation, pledging support
and cooperation and stressing the continued need in the
region, others expressed their worry concerning the lack of
financial support for the POA. Countries such as Brazil
noted that they were willing to take more refugees and make a
national effort to increase resources, but wanted assurances
that UNHCR and others would be able to provide additional
support for the programs. Colombia also added their support
for the POA, describing it as pragmatic with a focus on
resettlement that was exemplary. Colombia fully supports the
Borders of Solidarity program which they are trying to
implement in their own country. They added that
self-reliance for refugees and IDPs is important but that
their main goal was to prevent displacement and reconstruct
municipalities affected by the violence in Colombia.
Venezuela and Argentina both reaffirmed their commitment
towards resettlement, while the Netherlands announced a 3
million Euro contribution to the POA of which 1 million Euro
was earmarked for UNHCR activities. Costa Rica and Panama
also voiced their support and said they would continue to
host refugees who sought asylum in their countries.
Moley