Honduras - This week IOM provided the Honduran Government with vehicles and laundry equipment, and made renovations to reception centers for migrants to support humanitarian activities and technical assistance for returning migrants, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.

These initiatives were developed as part of the IOM project “Comprehensive Assistance to Returning Families and Unaccompanied Minors in the Northern Triangle of Central America”, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through which IOM promotes support and protection to migrant returnees in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The Project also aims to strengthen the response capacity of each government on assisting migrant children and their families.

IOM activities in Honduras focus on four main areas: the provision of immediate assistance (medical and psychosocial care, food, and transportation assistance); strengthening border coordination; remodelling shelters and reception centers for migrants; and training for government and NGO counterparts on standard procedures for receiving, assisting, and caring for migrant children from a human rights approach.

IOM works closely with the National Institute of Migration (INM) and the Department of Children, Youth, and Family (DINAF) to strengthen and broaden the operations of such institutions on providing comprehensive care to returnee populations, covering the immediate needs of migrant groups in a vulnerable situation.

"Every action taken until today comprises a wide range of activities aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of the actors present in the process of receiving and assisting returning migrants," said Ivonne Salgado, IOM Project Coordinator in Honduras.

In the last decade, Honduras has experienced a rapid increase in the number of returnees.  Over 10,000 children and adolescents returned to the country from Mexico and the United States in 2014.

In response to transportation needs for returning families and unaccompanied minors, IOM has distributed a total of six vehicles (two vans and one minibus with an approximate capacity of 25 persons), for the INM and DINAF each.  These vehicles will aid in solving mobilization problems for migrants from reception centers to shelters.

"We are pleased to receive support from IOM.  The donation of these vehicles strengthens the operational work we do on a daily basis.  They will be used for the Attention Centers for Returned Migrants (CAMR by its Spanish acronym) and other border centers to address the migration phenomenon in a comprehensive manner,” said Carolina Menjivar, Executive Director of the INM.

IOM also remodelled the returnee reception center at the Soto Cano Air Base.  The work included the kitchen, bathrooms, doctor's office and the entrance.

IOM provided laundry equipment (a washer and dryer)  to the Ceda Center, which feeds and shelters families returning by air from the US.

To date, IOM has distributed more than 3,100 hygiene kits for returnees at the CAMR and the Reception Center and Shelter El Eden.  Added to this effort, IOM provides CAMR with telephone calls and transportation funds to support each migrant's return to their home community.

IOM provides El Eden Center with food staples on a weekly basis.  IOM has provided this facility with office equipment to enhance tracking of assistance provided to unaccompanied minors.

"IOM’s support to the governments in the Northern Triangle of Central America aims to strengthen their response capacity in addressing the needs of migrants, especially of unaccompanied children.  We also want to ensure that the management of all migratory processes are developed through the application of essential techniques in compliance and respect for human rights.  IOM is convinced that all of its activities and established partnerships will contribute to the proper management of migration at local and regional level," added Jorge Peraza, IOM Chief of Mission to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

For further information, please contact Karen Arita, IOM Honduras; Tel: +504-2220-1100 Ext. 1625, Email:karita@iom.int.