UNHCR stepped up its support to enhance reception conditions through an extensive network of shelters for migrants and refugees along migratory routes in Mexico. Shelter organizations are considered key actors in the humanitarian context in Mexico, playing a central role in strategic outreach to people of concern. During participatory assessments, participants agreed on this and stressed the importance of their role providing humanitarian assistance and information on the right to asylum.
During 2021, UNHCR supported 148 shelters, mainly from civil society, in 44 cities, distributing: 406,037 cleaning materials and personal protective equipment (PPE) items; 730 food packages; 56,602 hygiene items (including personal hygiene kits, diapers, and first aid items); 200 appliances; 50 kitchen sets; 1,215 furniture items for offices and classrooms; and 37 computer and printing kits.
By the end of 2021, UNHCR had partnership agreements with 20 shelters nationwide, and through these agreements, it covered 32 shelters (which represented 2,000 accommodation spaces for migrants and refugees) in which staffing (lawyers, paralegals, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses and doctors, registrars, and coordination staff), protection activities, and operational procedures were supported. UNHCR also financed the roll out of a program of volunteers: for 6 months, 22 volunteers trained by UNHCR supported 8 shelters. Moreover, through 16 child-friendly spaces established in shelters, children benefited from psychological and emergency education activities.
To strengthen the capacities of staff in shelters and to guarantee that protection standards are ensured, UNHCR provided training, among others, on gender-based violence prevention and response and PSEA, child protection, and AGD mainstreaming, to more than 300 staff members working in shelters. Moreover, UNHCR also provided technical support to consolidate referral pathways for the prevention and response to gender-based violence and attention to persons with specific needs such as LGBTI+ people, children, women at risk, older adults, and people with disabilities living in shelters.
To increase the accommodation capacities of shelters or to improve their conditions, UNHCR made interventions in the infrastructure of 15 shelters, including the refurbishment of spaces for UASC, and the construction of modules for psychosocial assistance. In 2021, 8 other interventions were initiated, including the construction of two new shelters (in San Cristobal de las Casas and Monterrey) and the improvement of physical spaces in two shelters to make them accessible, safe, and inclusive for persons with disabilities. UNHCR also promoted the use of clean energies for example, photovoltaic systems were installed in 7 shelters.
The Office continued to actively participate in the shelter interagency working group through which UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF and ICRC coordinated support provided to shelters. This was of particular importance in 2021 as the Group started the roll out of an interagency platform to ensure its coordination and avoid duplication.