US embassy cable - 05GENEVA2567

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GENEVA 002567 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USEU FOR MEZNAR, USUN FOR MALY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, UNHCR 
SUBJECT: UNHCR: EXCOM CABLE # 7: MEXICO PLAN OF ACTION 
 
REF: GENEVA 2465 
 
1. (U) Summary.  Government representatives, NGOs and UN 
staff turned out in force to voice support for the Mexico 
Plan of Action (POA) during a special session on the margins 
of the UNHCR Executive Committee meeting.  While there was 
some concern over the lack of resources targeted for the 
region, there was a general feeling of satisfaction and 
support for the strategic plan that calls on states, 
international organizations and NGOs to reinforce protection 
regimes in the region, support durable solutions and 
strengthen partnerships across the board.  UNHCR still needs 
USD 8 million to implement activities under the POA in 2005. 
End Summary. 
 
The Mexico Plan of Action 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
2. (U) The Chair of EXCOM, Ambassador Martabit of Chile, 
opened the panel discussion on the Mexico Plan of Action 
(POA) by expressing his concern over the lack of resources to 
respond to the refugee and internally displaced person  (IDP) 
situation in Latin America.  According to Martabit, current 
UNHCR staff, programs and funding cannot meet the needs of 
the estimated 3 million persons of concern to UNHCR in the 
region.  UNHCR High Commissioner Guterres responded to 
Martabit's remarks by adding that the region has the capacity 
and the will to open borders and provide assistance, but that 
their resources were not proportionate to the actual needs of 
the refugees and IDPs.  Norwegian Refugee Committee (NRC), 
the NGO representative on the panel, provided background on 
their role to coordinate all civil society actors to assist 
in the implementation of the POA.  NRC opined that the 
relationship between governments, civil society and UNHCR 
needs more commitment from all sides to work together on a 
national and regional level. 
 
3. (U) UNHCR Head of the Americas Bureau Phillippe Lavanchy 
reaffirmed the POA's goal to serve refugee and IDP 
populations in the region.  He said that the success of the 
POA lay in the commitment and willingness of countries to 
take in refugees, but stressed that more support is needed to 
assist more than 3 million in need in the region.  UNHCR 
still needs USD 8 million to implement activities under the 
POA in 2005. 
 
4. (U) The POA is focused on reinforcing protection regimes 
in the region, finding durable solutions for both refugees 
and IDPs and strengthening partnerships involved in assisting 
these populations.  In order to reinforce protection regimes, 
UNHCR is working on programs to document the populations of 
concern including the 2-3 million IDPs in Colombia, plus the 
42,000 refugees and asylum seekers in neighboring states and 
the 50,000 individuals who remain under the radar screen in 
the region.  The POA focuses on working to achieve 
self-sufficiency and local integration in cities (Cities of 
Solidarity program), revitalizing social and economic 
development in border areas (Borders of Solidarity program) 
and establishing a resettlement program in Latin American 
countries to ease the burden of refugees in refugee hosting 
countries. 
 
Achievements, Challenges and Next Steps 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
5. (U) Since the plan was signed in 2004, UNHCR has assisted 
countries in drafting new refugee legislation, expanded 
programs on protection for border authorities, reinforced 
protection networks and increased protection staff in the 
field. This also includes the adoption of new protection 
regimes in Argentina and continuing dialogue with Chile, 
Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay 
on new draft legislation on asylum and refugee status 
determination procedures.  UNHCR has also promoted durable 
solutions in the region through the expansion of micro-credit 
and job placement schemes in Costa Rica and implemented 
community based initiatives in refugee hosting areas in 
Ecuador.  In Colombia, UNHCR is working with the government 
authorities in urban areas to guarantee IDPs access to 
housing, education, employment, health care, and income 
generation projects.  UNHCR is also assisting IDPs in 
protecting their property rights.  Major progress has also 
been made in the resettlement area of the POA. UNHCR has 
resettled 200 refugees to Brazil and Chile since November 
2004; referred 700 Colombians for resettlement from Ecuador 
and Costa Rica in the first half of 2005; and signed a 
resettlement agreement with Argentina.  UNHCR hopes to 
resettle some 40 Colombian refugees currently in Ecuador and 
Costa Rica in Argentina by the end of this year. 
 
6. (U) Despite these achievements, UNHCR continues to face 
challenges in the implementation of the POA.  Implementing 
protection in conflict situations such as Colombia has proven 
difficult and resources remain insufficient.  Many countries 
in the region do not have refugee legislation in place that 
provides guidance on refugee protection and UNHCR is working 
with countries such as Ecuador and Bolivia on adoption of new 
refugee legislation in line with international standards. 
Wide coverage of legal aid services for refugees and IDPs is 
lacking and there is a need for increased access for refugees 
and IDPs in the labor market. 
 
7.  (U) UNHCR hopes to strengthen self-employment through 
micro-credit programs, develop more concrete links between 
relief aid and long-term assistance, and address the 
socio-economic needs of women.  UNHCR is also working to 
expand resettlement opportunities in Latin America by 
developing a more streamlined and accelerated resettlement 
process and by expanding resettlement agreements with other 
countries in the region such as Uruguay and Mexico.  Other 
areas that need improvement include improving relations 
between refugees and refugee hosting communities.  UNHCR 
plans to raise more awareness and assistance for activities 
under the POA through donor briefings, and by exploring the 
field for new donors in the region, including the private 
sector.  UNHCR's overall goals under the POA are to increase 
awareness, reinforce partnerships and develop a common 
strategy towards refugees and IDPs. 
 
8.  (U) While most governments and NGOs responded 
enthusiastically to UNHCR's presentation, pledging support 
and cooperation and stressing the continued need in the 
region, others expressed their worry concerning the lack of 
financial support for the POA.  Countries such as Brazil 
noted that they were willing to take more refugees and make a 
national effort to increase resources, but wanted assurances 
that UNHCR and others would be able to provide additional 
support for the programs.  Colombia also added their support 
for the POA, describing it as pragmatic with a focus on 
resettlement that was exemplary.  Colombia fully supports the 
Borders of Solidarity program which they are trying to 
implement in their own country.  They added that 
self-reliance for refugees and IDPs is important but that 
their main goal was to prevent displacement and reconstruct 
municipalities affected by the violence in Colombia. 
Venezuela and Argentina both reaffirmed their commitment 
towards resettlement, while the Netherlands announced a 3 
million Euro contribution to the POA of which 1 million Euro 
was earmarked for UNHCR activities.  Costa Rica and Panama 
also voiced their support and said they would continue to 
host refugees who sought asylum in their countries. 
Moley