* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Geneva, 18 July 2014
1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
The on-going phenomenon of migration of children to the United States and subsequent mass deportation to Honduras that is expected in the coming days has caused a humanitarian emergency that requires the involvement of all organizations with a humanitarian mandate in the country. It is estimated that about 4,000 mostly unaccompanied children will be returned all over the country; it is expected 200 children daily by air and land, who will arrive with health and psychosocial problems and in need of food supply after being placed in temporary shelters in the United States where they have stayed several days before being deported to their places of origin.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
The Honduras Government has limited capacity to respond because of the significant number of affected children, which requires support and accompaniment. ACT’s experience in emergency response following humanitarian principles will contribute to a quality rights-based response. Also ACT is part of the national system of risk management SINAGER in Honduras.
3. National and international response
The Government, through COPECO, has installed hostels in San Pedro Sula for the returning migrants. The Humanitarian Network of Honduras and the United Nations through OCHA have joined this effort, which is already performing some actions for the installation of hostels, training in the management of the hostels, psychosocial support, mats and flannels. Food supply, water, medicines and personal hygiene Kits are needed.
4. ACT Alliance response
So far the ACT Honduras Forum has not provided any kind of support as currently there has only been a small contingent of reported children. Comisión de Acción Social Menonita (CASM) intends to lead the response in coordination with members of the ACT Honduras Forum.
5. Planned activities
Comisión de Acción Social Menonita (CASM) plans to provide drinkable water and personal hygiene and basic medicines kits. The target population will be 1,000 boys and girls in San Pedro Sula. The project activities will be carried out in coordination with the national body responsible for the humanitarian response and within the framework of the Humanitarian Network of Honduras. CASM will be sending the request for a Rapid Respond Fund in the next two days.
6. Constraints
Security issues as the response will be carried out in San Pedro Sula, one of the most dangerous cities in Honduras, where the shelters will be installed in and where CASM works.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, Director of Finance (jbi@actalliance.org).
