Saturday, February 27, 2021 – The Government of the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Belize, hosted a one-day Mobile Migrant Hub in Valley of Peace, Cayo District to provide information and services to migrants for safe and orderly migration. In partnership with U.S. Embassy Belmopan and UN agencies, such as UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNHCR, this initiative created a space for over 150 migrants from this remote community to readily access immigration information and social services.
This Mobile Migrant Hub was the second of three to be held as a part of ongoing activities by IOM and USAID to provide services for migrants. The first Migrant Mobile Hub activity, held in Bella Vista Village on February 20, 2021, provided migration information to 242 people.
The Migrant Hubs offer a single location for information and services benefitting migrants, such as facilitating the process to obtain foreign national documents for migrants who meet the requirements to be regularized in Belize and providing assistance in the application for various government services. The Migrant Hub provides information on application processes for nationality, permanent residence, visas, and work permits, and referrals to the Child Development Foundation Migrant Hub in Belmopan for other reintegration services. Belizean returnees receive support to obtain documents such as birth certificates and social security cards needed to reintegrate successfully into their communities. Participants accessing the services also receive N95 masks and hand sanitizers to assist with COVID-19 protocols.
The Migrant Hubs are part of the activities under USAID and IOM’s five-year Integrated Response on Migration regional program covering six Central American countries with a total budget of $33.7 million. The American people are proud to support these vital efforts for a dignified and safe return and reintegration of migrants.
For more information contact 501-223-9500 or
IRM Project – Jackie Castillo at jcastillo@iom.int
