Church and various groups warn of refugee care crisis in Guatemala

The Catholic Church and various social organizations in Guatemala have issued a stark warning about the imminent risk to refugees' fundamental rights. The National Protection Network highlighted a progressive weakening of humanitarian services, directly attributed to budget cuts. This situation is creating critical gaps in direct aid and limiting access to essential services like healthcare, housing, education, and livelihoods.

Percy Cervera, director of the Casa del Migrante, stated that the lack of sustained funding for refugee support entities jeopardizes effective access to basic rights. He noted that this impacts approximately 6,000 people with urgent needs for shelter in the Central American nation. The warnings come ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20.

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This situation has even led to the closure or reduction of operations of humanitarian organizations, creating critical gaps in direct assistance and limiting access to essential services such as health, housing, education, and livelihoods.

Luisa Nicolau, coordinator of the Human Rights Office of the Archbishopric of Guatemala (ODHAG), appealed for an urgent strengthening of comprehensive public policies. She emphasized the need for policies that incorporate international protection throughout all phases of displacement, including prevention, attention, protection, and durable solutions.

Carlos Valdez, executive director of Asociación Lambda, reported that since 2000, 1,718 individuals have been granted refugee status in Guatemala. An additional approximately 3,600 applications are currently under technical review by state institutions. The combined efforts of religious and civil society groups underscore the critical need for governmental action and sustained international support to address the growing refugee crisis.

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We call for the strengthening of comprehensive public policies that incorporate an international protection effect in all phases of displacement: prevention, attention, protection, and durable solutions.