Special Envoy meets with asylum seekers as UNHCR seeks to improve their conditions in Belize

Special Envoy for Women and Children Kim Simplis Barrow visited two groups of asylum seekers in Belmopan today. The meeting was organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, U.N.H.C.R. The purpose was for asylum seekers to speak about the limitations they are facing to integrate in their communities. Simplis heard the frustrations of the asylum seekers and offered feedback and support. Head of the U.N.H.C.R. office in Belize Andreas Wissner spoke more about their objective.

Andreas Wissner, Head of Office, UNHCR

Andreas Wissner

“People as asylum seekers are not allowed to work. We are advocating that hopefully soon asylum seekers will be given temporary rights to work as to open small businesses so that they can sustain themselves and their families pending the adjudication of their refugee claims so we are trying to work with the government departments to improve that situation and Mrs. Barrow’s visit today hopefully will lead us into the right direction.”

Kim Simplis Barrow

Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children

“It was really an eye opener for me to listen to their stories, plight I would say, to see and to feel the desperation of many of these women is really heartbreaking. I certainly feel the need to use my voice to advocate for this vulnerable set of people in our community. We have signed on to international certain international agreements and I think that Belize has certain obligations to fulfill and hopefully someone will listen and something can be done to facilitate the process.”

U.N.H.C.R. has been in Belize since 2016. Its focus has been to assist government is fulfilling international obligations to protect and provide solutions to refugees and asylum seekers.