Ecuador

Working environment

• Collaboration with UNHCR´s main governmental counterpart, the Vice-Ministry for Human Mobility, was strengthened. This resulted in the resumption of capacity building and dialogue on topics such as registration and statistics, strengthening of the refugee status determination (RSD) procedure, and possibilities for the implementation of a labour mobility scheme to allow refugees to travel to other countries in the region, taking advantage of the different migratory avenues offered by MERCOSUR. Discussions also resumed on the need for an agreement between the Vice-Ministry and the Civil Registry to enrol refugees. 

Population trends

• Official numbers given by the Vice-Ministry indicated some 60,500 recognised refugees. UNHCR agreed with the Refugee Directorate on a way forward to review the Government's database and to improve and systematise registration. 
• Estimates of new arrivals of asylum-seekers from Colombia during the year went down to around 400 to 500 per month, largely due to progress made in the Colombian peace process. 
• Interest in repatriation remained very low. During 2015, only two families returned to their country of origin with the support of UNHCR. 

Achievements and impact

• UNHCR advocated for laws and policies to be consistent with international standards. The Human Mobility Bill was presented to the National Assembly in July 2015, and is expected to be passed in 2016.
• UNHCR presented a legal opinion before the Constitutional Court of Ecuador, focusing on the principle of non-refoulement and on the non-penalization of refugees for illegal entry. 
• In late 2015, UNHCR carried out training sessions on international Refugee Law and Statelessness for Refugee Directorate’s officials.
• The Public Defender´s Office, supported by UNHCR, intervened in some 200 deportation cases.
• In the context of the Comprehensive Solutions Strategy, the Office piloted a new approach in livelihood projects, applying the Graduation Model in Santo Domingo and Quito, involving 200 extremely vulnerable families (including some 60 Ecuadorian families).
• In total, 1,162 people received vocational training and 286 small business associations were formed. Additionally, 922 people had access to financial services (community-based group savings/loans/insurance schemes). 
• In 2015, 394 cases (1,319 people) were proposed for resettlement and 266 cases (850 people) departed for the US, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil and Uruguay. 

Unmet needs

• Many refugees and asylum-seekers continued to face discrimination, xenophobia and unequal working conditions. The refugee documents issued by the Refugee Directorate were in practice rarely recognized by employers and public service providers.
• Despite UNHCR’s efforts, administrative and financial obstacles still made naturalization inaccessible for most refugees. Asylum-seekers and refugees were increasingly opting for alternative visas such as the Amparo (dependent) visa or the MERCOSUR visa.
• The Vice-Ministry for Human Mobility announced that a fee of USD 350 per person will be applied to obtain the permanent MERCOSUR visa.

Working environment

Despite ongoing peace talks between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), forced displacement in and from Colombia is expected to continue in the near future. The Office will closely monitor the intentions of the refugee population about their future, which will depend on the outcome of peace negotiations; the voluntary repatriation strategy will therefore be reviewed as the situation evolves. 

Access to asylum in Ecuador remains difficult owing to the provisions of Refugee Decree 1182, and there is growing consensus among policy-makers about the constraints it poses. A law reform process to address human mobility issues, including asylum, is in progress. UNHCR is actively promoting the adoption of legislation that is in line with international refugee law. 

Given numerous changes in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the creation of a new Vice-Ministry for Human Mobility, its Refugee Directorate faces new challenges that will affect refugee status determination (RSD) and the functioning of the Inter-Ministerial Eligibility Commission. 

An important change in the Ecuador operation is the new focus on comprehensive solutions to provide better responses to a protracted refugee situation. Complementing traditional responses, the Comprehensive Solutions Initiative (CSI) will mainstream livelihoods support for people of concern in order to increase self-reliance; consider migratory alternatives that include protection safeguards; and undertake activities to mitigate negative public perceptions about refugees. 

In view of the gap between constitutional norms and effective access to rights for people of concern, the CSI aims to complement and support government efforts to find durable solutions for refugees. The National Development Plan is designed to support irregular migrants, refugees and others in need of international protection, through the promotion and implementation of a legal framework for human mobility. 

Needs and strategies

The refugee situation has become protracted, and most refugees who have been in the country for years are unable to attain sustainable levels of self-reliance.

Recent studies show that 95 per cent of refugees are not currently interested in voluntary repatriation. Seventy-three per cent prefer local integration, even though they are aware of the many impediments that persist, including discrimination and lack of adequate documentation. A significant 22 per cent of the refugee population is interested in other solutions, notably resettlement in a third country.

The Office will support government efforts to reach durable solutions. Specific UNHCR activities are aligned with those of national plans, including advocating for the right to work, social security, health and education.

In 2015, the organization will focus on integrated access to durable solutions, such as: resettlement, local integration, including alternative migratory solutions (such as residence permits or labour migration schemes with protection safeguards) and voluntary repatriation. These will be pursued with the goals of re-opening protection space and enhancing livelihood opportunities for refugees.

Activities for the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) will be mainstreamed throughout all available solutions for people of concern. The Office will continue to support the national network of safe houses and prioritize the socio-economic empowerment of SGBV survivors. The right to asylum and the fight against discrimination will remain essential cross-cutting advocacy and communication goals.

The organization will pursue its focus on individual assistance for new arrivals and people with specific needs (through a voucher programme), and on community projects to mitigate the impact of the presence of refugees on host communities.