USA / BELIZE – The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Belize ministry of immigration signed the agreement that marks the starting point of the Refugee Department’s Border Presence Project a key initiative to strengthen the protection and assistance of people with international protection needs in the country.
The project will be implemented between 2025 and 2026 with funding from the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework Fund (MIRPS Fund) , established within the OAS and administered by its Department of Social Inclusion.
With the implementation of this project, the presence of the Refugee Department will be strengthened at key border points, allowing for the early identification and care of people with international protection needs, ensuring that those seeking asylum in Belize receive clear and accessible information about the application process, their rights and the opportunities available for their integration into society.
During the ceremony, the representative of the OAS general secretariat in Belize, Luiz Coimbra, said:
“Today, we recognize Belize’s leadership and commitment, reflected in this agreement and the prioritization of this project. This initiative not only improves protection mechanisms for refugees but also strengthens host communities, promoting a shared responsibility model that benefits both displaced persons and the local population.” Coimbra also highlighted the country’s commitment to the protection of refugees and the joint effort to guarantee access to their fundamental rights. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of the MIRPS Fund, which has already allowed the implementation of several projects in the region, and thanked Spain for its contribution, which has been fundamental to make these initiatives a reality.
Coimbra further emphasized:
“I want to highlight the essential role of Spain, whose contribution to the MIRPS Fund has been fundamental in supporting these efforts. This financial commitment benefits all MIRPS member states and reinforces solidarity and cooperation as fundamental pillars to address forced displacement.”
Since the launch of the first project financed by the MIRPS Fund at the end of 2023, more than 24,000 people in Costa Rica , El Salvador , Honduras and Panama, have benefited. Through humanitarian aid, technical specialization scholarships and seed capital for entrepreneurships, these initiatives have provided lasting solutions that guarantee the full exercise of fundamental rights and promote the integration of displaced, returned, refugee and asylum seekers in their host communities. In addition, the capacity of government institutions responsible for their protection has been strengthened, consolidating a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to addressing these populations.
The post OAS General Secretariat – Belize sign agreement to strengthen protection of refugees appeared first on Caribbean News Global.
