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UNHCR continues to work closely with Peruvian authorities to identify, register and document refugees and asylum-seekers. This provides proof of legal status, access to basic rights and services, and supports programme planning and delivery by UNHCR and other actors.
There are now over 560,000 Venezuelans in Peru. Since 2015, Peru has recorded more than 156,000 asylum claims, far exceeding the capacity of the national asylum system to provide registration and documentation.
UNHCR is supporting Peruvian authorities to establish a new registration system, referred to as Qoricancha 2, to increase capacity and strengthen procedural and protection safeguards. Qoricancha was the name of the “Golden Temple of the Sun” in Cuzco during the Inca empire.
Situation Update
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Currently there are over 156,000 Venezuelan asylum seekers pre-registered with the CEPR in Peru. So far in 2018, 400 asylum requests per day were filed at the CEPR offices in Lima. Since 25 August 2018, the CEPR has started to record intentions to seek asylum at the Binational Border Centre (CEBAF) near the border with Ecuador. This was triggered by the new administrative requirement restricting entry for Venezuelans who do not hold a passport. The documentation issued by the CEPR at the CEBAF allows asylum-seekers to access the Peruvian territory. However, it requires then to approach CEPR to register an asylum claim.
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The Venezuelan population in Peru includes 119,385 individuals holding Temporary Stay Permit (PTP). A further 240,503 PTP applications are in process. After 31 October, new arrivals in Peru are no longer eligible to receive PTPs. This fact may further increase the pressure on the registration processes of CEPR, as it reduces the avenues open to Venezuelans to regularize their stay in Peru.