UNHCR Opens Refugee Resource Centre
The United Nations Human Rights Commission has opened a resource center for refugees coming into the country. It is based in Benque Viejo and is expected to provide information services, as well shelter, for those who need it. Andrea Polanco tells us more in the following story.
Andrea Polanco, Reporting
On Thursday, the United Nations Human Rights Commission opened a refugee resource center in Benque Viejo. This facility was created to help improve conditions for arriving asylum seekers by providing information about the asylum process, services available and about Belize. Referrals from officials at entry points about persons entering Belize and seeking protection assistance will be met at the resource center. The UNHCR Head of Mission says that often times refugees flee to countries for shelter but they don’t know much about their destination or how the system works. He explains:
Andreas Wissner
Andreas Wissner, UNCHR Belize Head of Mission
“They must apply for asylum within fourteen days which is not known to everyone. They must also reach to the Refugees Department in Belize which is not so easy because as long as you are undocumented in the country, you are liable to arrest as an illegal immigrant still. So, we are working with the Refugees Department that the center manager here can work with border authorities to give them referral slips so that they reach safely and unharmed to Belmopan so that that the procedure is safe and orderly.”
The Refugees Department handles the legal process of registration of refugees. Director Maria Marin says this center will make a big difference for the persons seeking refugee status in Belize, as well as for the work of her department.
Maria Marin
Maria Marin, Director, Department of Refugees
“The need for information so that the proper framework that is in place is followed or its access is very important. So, by having a resource center, the persons who were out there and need this protection will then have a form of being informed and made aware of as soon as you arrive in the country, express your need and present your claims so that you can be further advised in the proper manner. It may take a while but it is not necessarily difficult. Once you meet the refugee definition; the criteria; the requirements as per the Refugees Act, your claim will be registered. If you do not meet those criteria or the requirements as per the Refugee Act, then we advise you to follow the proper immigration process because what we want to do is to minimize the number of persons who are in Belize irregularly.”
The two-storey wooden building houses an information center on the upper flat and a shelter facility on the ground floor. The shelter has two bedrooms and a bathroom. It will be used as an emergency lodging facility to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers on their way to the refugees department in Belmopan. The shelter will be managed independently from the information center. The Help for Progress Organization will lead the information desk.
Enrique August
Enrique August, Executive Director, Help for Progress
“Help for Progress will be responsible for day to day operations of the center. He has been in the area for the last two weeks on orientation and meeting with the in the area. His work will be to receive persons who are seeking asylum. The function of the center will be to disseminate information to these people. We will give out brochures. The officer who is already in training will give the proper information to the people and what is the next step they need from her to move on to the authorities.”
Andreas Wissner
“Those who are destitute who have need for immediate assistance, they will also be offered to rest a little bit here and see what the options are and they can be assisted with some shelter for the nights and for that we have the lower flat equipped as such.”
Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.
