Operations

2016 Plan Summary

While peace talks between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) continue, conflict, violence and displacement in and from Colombia also persist. In Ecuador, unofficial Government estimates suggest that Colombians in the hundreds continue to arrive in the country every month. The number of recognized refugees in Ecuador is approximately 60,000. To date, few have expressed interest in voluntary repatriation. UNHCR in Ecuador continues to work on protection issues while strengthening its comprehensive solutions strategy.

In 2016, UNHCR will complete the implementation of the Comprehensive Solutions Initiative (CSI), a strategic framework that presents complementary, inclusive and durable interventions to address the refugee situation in Ecuador in line with national plans. The Office has also established priorities for the 2016-2018 period (post-CSI). The CSI focuses on inclusion of refugees in existing national programmes and establishes three strategic areas of intervention: (1) legal protection, (2) economic protection, and (3) social protection/protection of vulnerable groups, specifically with regard to health, education and housing.

Two cross-cutting themes will underpin UNHCR’s work in these three strategic areas: the fight against discrimination and xenophobia through improvements in public information; and the systematic application of an age, gender, diversity (AGD) approach. Monitoring and evaluation will be key and the CSI baseline study will be updated to measure progress across each priority area. The Government of Ecuador is in the process of drafting a Human Mobility Bill, which includes asylum and refugee issues. UNHCR has provided comments and technical support.