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There is a great need to empower refugees to take an active role in their various actions, fulfilling the role that corresponds to them in the country where they are located. The UNHCR, as a global organization working with refugees worldwide, has made efforts and allocated resources to create a space for active listening, strengthen ties with refugee-led organizations, and enable more inclusive action while respecting different nationalities, genders, and races. [...] It’s a step along a long path, but it’s a step that fills us with hope for better days to come, when refugees from around the world can enjoy exercising citizenship and human rights as global citizens. Geraldino “Kanhanga”, Angolan Refugee, Associação dos Angolanos e Amigos do Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCALIZATION IN THE REGION
Localization is a process that promotes effective participation and inclusion of local and national actors in humanitarian action. It allows us to recognize the presence and respect the historical work of local actors who traditionally are the first responders to crisis situations, as well as strengthen their independence, seeking to ensure adequate responses to the context and better address the needs of displaced and stateless persons. UNHCR pursues localization and integration as a means contributing to sustainable results, while promoting local resilience, supporting response capacity, and creating strategic partnerships.
UNHCR in the Americas aims to strengthen its role in supporting civil society and organizations led by refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless persons (RLO for its acronym in English) in communities of origin, transit and destination, in line with global commitments towards meaningful participation with local actors.
Engaging with local communities along mixed movement routes is central to the route-based approach proposed by UNHCR in the region to strengthen protection and solutions in the context of mixed movements of refugees and migrants. Working with local organizations improves the way we identify key routes and areas where interventions are needed the most, and helps promote socioeconomic inclusion, share capacities and advocate for policies that support refugees and migrants.