Canada Strengthens Support for Refugee Protection in Central America

Ottawa, May 24, 2022 — As global displacement challenges continue to escalate, Mexico and Central American countries face unparalleled migration pressures. In response to these challenges, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama have adopted the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS). This initiative aligns with the Global Compact on Refugees, aiming to address the needs of forcibly displaced individuals through a comprehensive strategy.

Canada’s Commitment to Collaborative Solutions

Recognizing the urgent need for a coordinated approach, Canada has taken a decisive step towards collaborative action. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, alongside Gillian Triggs, Assistant Secretary-General and Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), inaugurated the MIRPS Support Platform Signature Event today.

This event convenes a wide array of stakeholders, including members of the MIRPS Support Platform, representatives from MIRPS countries, UN agencies, international financial institutions, and strategic actors from the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative States Network. Participants from the private sector and civil society, including refugee-led organizations, will also engage in this initiative. Over the course of three days, attendees will exchange best practices and discuss the expansion of admission channels for individuals requiring international protection.

Addressing Core Challenges

MIRPS countries have identified a critical challenge: inadequate asylum system capacity to handle the surge of claims. In response, Minister Fraser announced three new capacity-building projects in partnership with UNHCR, focusing on enhancing the asylum processing capabilities in the Americas.

Key Projects Include:

• Mexico’s Refugee Agency (COMAR):

  • Two projects aimed at bolstering COMAR's ability to process and adjudicate asylum claims efficiently and accurately.
  • Initiatives include digitalizing asylum claim files and implementing new file-tracking systems in Tapachula, Palenque, and Tijuana.
  • Deployment of mobile processing and adjudication offices to manage areas with high influxes of asylum claims.

• Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras:

  • A project dedicated to improving refugee status determination procedures and asylum registration processes.
  • Activities encompass training and technical assistance for asylum system officials, supporting digitization efforts, and providing mobile offices to expedite claims.

Continued Commitment and Future Goals

Canada's support for these projects underscores its ongoing dedication as a MIRPS Support Platform member to provide protection and seek solutions for forcibly displaced individuals in Central America and Mexico. Moving forward, Canada is committed to working alongside partner countries, international financial institutions, the private sector, regional bodies, and other stakeholders to offer further support and protection to those in need.

In a world grappling with unprecedented displacement challenges, Canada's proactive engagement in the MIRPS initiative highlights the importance of international cooperation and strategic investment in building sustainable solutions for refugees and displaced communities. Through these efforts, Canada reaffirms its role as a global leader in refugee protection and humanitarian support.