ICMCEUROPE WelcometoEurope.pdf (5.89 MB)

Chapter III – Refugee Situations in Focus
54
it impossible for Eritreans to be naturalised
through formal means. 38 Some
Eritreans have accessed Sudanese
citizenship, but have relied on personal
connections and significant resources
in order to do so. Both UNHCR and
NGOs have raised concerns about an
increase in the number of kidnappings
and trafficking activity targeting
Eritrean refugees in Eastern Sudan, in
particular in Shagarab camp. 39
In 2012, 262 Eritrean refugees
departed for resettlement from
Sudan. 40 For 2014, UNHCR’s resettlement
submissions planned for
Eritrean refugees represent 2,690
refugees, and UNHCR has projected
that all of them are in need of resettlement.
UNHCR plans to submit
9,500 Eritrean refugees who arrived
in Sudan prior to January 1st 2005,
and can be considered as living in
a protracted refugee situation, for
resettlement. In Europe, Eritrean refugees
from Sudan were resettled
to the Netherlands, Norway and
Sweden.
38 UNHCR, No turning back. A review of UNHCR’s
response to the protracted refugee situation in
Eastern Sudan, November 2011
39 UNHCR, UNHCR concern at refugee kidnappings,
disappearances in eastern Sudan, January 2013
40 Annex 3. UNHCR Global Resettlement Statistical
Report 2012 in UNHCR Projected Global
Resettlement Needs 2014
2. AMERICAS
2.1. The Colombian refugee
situation
Nearly 50 years of armed conflict
between guerrillas, paramilitaries
and the Colombian army resulted
in the movement of over 4 million
Colombians - both within Colombia and
across its borders - since 1985. Around
half a million have fled to neighbouring
countries, mainly to Ecuador, but also
to Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela.
At present, approximately 70,000
Colombian refugees are registered
with UNHCR in the region. 41
While the flow of refugees to neighbouring
countries has decreased in
recent years, the need for protection
remains high. Although members of
the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC) have resumed peace
negotiations with representatives of
the Colombian government in June
2013, continued violence in some parts
of Colombia makes that voluntary repatriation
is not the preferred solution for
most Colombian refugees.
Prospects for local integration are also
limited. Ecuador has the largest population
of recognised refugees in Latin
America, 98% of whom are Colombians.
Since 2010, there has been a rapid
41 Ibid. Colombian refugee population registered
with UNHCR in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama and
Venezuela as of January 2013.