Joint Agreement to Support Migrants, Refugees and Children in Belize Signed by IOM, UNICEF and UNHCR

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency convened to sign the third joint work plan for migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and children in Belize.

The work plan outlines strategic actions to protect the local population of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through advocacy and legal reform, strengthening of data systems, and technical capacities to improve response and provision of services to support their integration into Belizean society. The plan also includes the development of minimum acceptable standards for service delivery in migrant and refugee hosting communities and protocols to reduce the risk of statelessness.

The joint work plan, signed on 27 November 2023 seeks to build the capacity of government institutions to enhance birth registration and reduce statelessness, child protection, and to strengthen integration support services for amnesty beneficiaries. The Agencies will also continue community engagement through Mobile Hubs where migrant, asylum seeker, and refugee families have access to public services such as health, education, and birth registration as well as information on family reunification, migration and asylum processes.

Through coordinated efforts, the three UN agencies, hope to strengthen the assistance to these persons, working together with the government and local agencies, enabling a comprehensive approach to refugee and migrant integration into Belizean society.