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Honduras + 2 more

Honduras: Population Movement DREF Operations Update no. 1 (MDRHN010)

Attachments

A. Situation Analysis

Description of the Disaster

Since October 2016, the Honduran Red Cross has been providing support to the National Immigration Institute (INM)’s regional Choluteca office, which is known as the Care Centre for Irregular Migrants (CAMI); through a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) operation. The DREF support is being used to address the growing number of migrants coming into Honduras through Guasaule, which is located near Honduras’ southern border with Nicaragua. Most migrants are from Haiti and Cuba and a smaller number are from African countries such as Congo, Cameroon, Senegal, Angola and Kenya. From October to December 2016, CAMI received approximately 5,000 irregular migrants that were in transit.

The emergency situation continues at CAMI facilities because of the large number of people requesting immigration processes. Immigration staff is working double shifts to process safe passage letters for some 150 people each day. In the meantime, migrants have to wait 2 to 5 days in the city of Choluteca to get processed. During this time, they need to find lodging, food and a place to clean up and rest. Moreover, many require medical attention due to injuries they have sustained during their journey north. Most migrants are provided with minimal accommodations in private homes for a small fee. However, the migrants that do not have the resources have no choice but to seek shelter in the city's streets and parks, where they are forced to deal with hunger and the language barrier that prevents them from asking for help or something to eat.

Summary of current response

Overview of Host National Society

In September 2016, the Honduran Red Cross signed a letter of cooperation with the National Immigration Institute to provide humanitarian aid to migrants in transit at CAMI facilities in Choluteca in four key areas determined by a needs analysis:

  1. Distribution of hygiene kits: In response to migrants' hygiene needs and as a health measure, the HRC has distributed 3,768 personal hygiene kits designed to last for one month. The kit contains body and laundry soap, shampoo, shaving razor, toothbrush and toothpaste, a small towel and sanitary napkins, and it is packed in a little pouch with straps for easy transport.

  2. Basic First Aid care: Through this DREF Operation, two professionals were hired to provide first aid care; these professionals are working 8-hour shifts; during which, they are delivering this care in a cubicle inside CAMI facilities equipped with basic drugs and supplies, where they are assisted by 10 volunteer relief workers from the Choluteca HRC branch. Some 25 people are treated daily, who generally have the following conditions: general malaise, muscle injuries, skin lesions, digestive illnesses, respiratory problems, pregnancy and skin infections; more serious cases are transferred to the regional health centre.

  3. Dissemination of key hygiene promotion messages: To supplement hygiene kits, the HRC disseminates educational materials with key messages on hygiene promotion, which are translated into the migrants’ four most commonly spoken languages (Spanish, English, French and Creole). The educational intervention is aimed at raising awareness regarding the importance of proper hand washing as a prevention against some diarrheal diseases and a way to maintain good health.

  4. Restoration of Family Links (RFL): An RFL service has been established for the operation, with support and financing from the ICRC. This service provides migrants with a free 3-minute phone call to their relatives overseas. So far, 673 calls have been made, mainly to Haiti and Cuba; the HRC branches in Choluteca, San Lorenzo and Pespire are providing this service.