• The 探花精选 analyzed data extracted from an emergency cash program for asylum seekers in southern Mexico and identified that 85% of participants lacked a way to generate an income.

  • Participants in the 探花精选鈥檚 program expressed needs related to housing and resources to buy food.

As thousands of people in need of international protection continue to see Mexico as a potential safe destination鈥攂ecoming the of asylum claims in 2021鈥攖he 探花精选 (探花精选) warns about the increasing needs that they can find along the border with Guatemala. 

After analyzing data extracted from an emergency cash relief program鈥攚hich impacted over 800 people鈥攖he 探花精选 found that people on the move in Tapachula, a border city in southern Mexico:

Rafael Vel谩squez, Director for Mexico at the 探花精选 (探花精选), said:

鈥淢ixed migration and displacement through Mexico has been a longstanding mechanism for people fleeing violence and conflict from Central and South America, as well as from the Caribbean. During the last years, although not a new phenomenon, we have seen a particular increase in the number of people requesting asylum in Mexico, with over 131,000 claims in 2021 and in the first half of 2022. 

鈥淎t the 探花精选 we have identified Mexico as a strategic location to respond to the displacement crises in the region, including its potential to become a safe destination for some people. Despite this potential, the protection and asylum systems in Mexico are overwhelmed and support from the international community is not enough鈥攆or instance, there is not even a Humanitarian Response Plan, which could offer an opportunity to fund programs to respond to the most urgent needs of asylum seekers in the country.

鈥淎s needs grow, international cooperation and funding are even more critical to support and strengthen humanitarian responses to guarantee people鈥檚 integrity, regardless of their nationality or status.鈥

The 探花精选鈥檚 response in Mexico

Since 2019, the 探花精选 is supporting people on the move in Mexico. Currently, the 探花精选 responds along the main migration corridors: from the southern to the northern borders and along the routes through the country. The 探花精选鈥檚 programs offer a response to needs of displaced people and asylum seekers, including: economic recovery and development; mental health and psychosocial support; prevention and response to gender-based violence; access to critical information through , a multi-channel information platform; prevention and mitigation of COVID-19; child protection services; as well as identifying needs and referring cases to local service providers. Additionally, the 探花精选 is supporting local integration efforts by providing cultural orientation to individuals who have chosen to stay in Mexico.

The 探花精选 recently conducted an assessment of the situation that displaced people faced in northern Mexico. Click here to find more information.