In 2021, Mexico will be part of the selected group of operations in the region that will apply a multi-year planning approach over the next three years. The operation has already implemented multi-year strategies in the past when establishing a multi-year and multi-partner protection and solutions strategy (MYMP). Through a multi-year strategy, UNHCR in Mexico will strengthen the coordination with national and UN actors for greater impact of interventions. The operation will also be better equipped to show how UNHCR is assisting the population of concern and how the organization is contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). This will enable UNHCR to inform donors more precisely on what benefits their contributions are bringing, promote confidence in UNHCR’s work and help secure more funding.
The multi-year strategy will be aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2025 in Mexico, the regional implementation of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (MIRPS), and the Mexico-Central America Comprehensive Development Plan. It will be aligned to the following four strategic directions: 1) access to the territory; 2) immediate and basic needs; 3) support for host communities;, and 4) durable solutions.
In 2021, UNHCR’s priorities will be:
- Strengthen the local integration programme. UNHCR aims at providing relocation support to refugees and asylum seekers from the south to northern locations with positive integration prospects. Priorities will be the ability of the population of concern to UNHCR to get formal employment and education. Individuals will be provided with professional and vocational training opportunities, and UNHCR will advocate for the financial inclusion of persons of concern in the banking sector. It is also expected that individuals who have participated in the relocation and integration programme will have access to psychosocial support in their host communities that they eventually may apply for naturalization.
- UNHCR will help COMAR to consolidate its field presence and improve its internal procedures to ensure fair and efficient refugee status determination (RSD) procedures. UNHCR will also focus its efforts in ensuring that a quality assurance initiative (QAI) is well established and in practice. Information on asylum procedures will be further strengthened through UNHCR and partner networks. Legal assistance will be provided, especially in the northern border if the US migrant protection protocols (MPP) continue. As registration remains a priority, efforts provided until now will be capitalized upon in 2021, with a strong capacity installed in the south and further expanded to other locations.
- Shelters throughout the country will be supported and asylum-seekers will receive assistance in cash to promote self-reliance. UNHCR aims to enhance the impact of the shelters in the humanitarian context in Mexico and intends to achieve this through strengthening the capacity of a significant number of shelters to do outreach to PoC and provide humanitarian assistance. The intention is to work with shelters to attend short and long-term needs, with enhanced capacity to facilitate integration, and to attend emergencies. On the provision of support through cash component, targeting approach will be consolidated and further expanded to northern locations. Cash assistance will become the link between the immediate response of basic needs and a long-term solution for sustainable livelihoods.
- In line with the Global Compact on Refugees, host communities will be part of UNHCR’s 2021 priorities. Local communities will also benefit from UNHCR projects in order to create peaceful coexistence with the population of concern to UNHCR. Cultural and sport initiatives will be pursued as well as rehabilitation of public spaces. Implementation of these projects will allow refugees, asylum seekers and others of concern to UNHCR have access to a safe community space that will contribute to ensure their protection and security, prevent negative coping mechanisms and strengthen healthy relationships and peaceful coexistence with their peers, their families and their host community at large.