2015
The overall requirements for UNHCR’s refugee programme in Colombia have formed the basis of the budget which is designed to complement protection initiatives in order to increase durable solutions for refugees and asylum-seekers. The following activities will be implemented if full and flexible funding is made available:
- Increased humanitarian assistance provided to asylum-seekers - the current budget only covers the needs of half of the people of concern to UNHCR;
- Strengthened capacity to support refugees who have been in the country for several years with tertiary studies and income-generating activities to promote efficient local integration. Under the current budget, only 10 per cent of the refugee population of working age can receive small grants for business start-up and vocational training;
- Increased capacity building and training of border officials and authorities to strengthen access to international protection mechanisms;
- Increased legal assistance for refugees and asylum-seekers;
- Increased border monitoring and cross-border information sharing with UNHCR’s offices in the region, (i.e. possible influx of individuals in need of internal protection).
Should there be an increase in the number of voluntary repatriations of Colombian refugees from neighbouring countries, such as Ecuador and Venezuela. More funds will be required to support voluntary repatriation, follow up on individual repatriation cases, and provide basic returnee assistance for specific groups.