The United Nations Refugee Company (UNHCR) has introduced the closure of its Nationwide Workplace in Trinidad and Tobago, efficient August 31, 2025. The choice, the company says, is because of vital international funding reductions affecting humanitarian and improvement operations worldwide.
“Which means that whereas wants are nonetheless nice, there’s much less cash obtainable to help everybody,” the company famous in a public FAQ. “This has brought on monetary uncertainty and international, regional, and native price range restrictions.”
In mild of the closure, UNHCR has launched an official Q&A piece to handle questions and considerations, particularly as rumors and misinformation flow into. The company emphasised that refugees and asylum seekers can proceed to entry help by way of its companions: La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre and the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR).
Refugees will nonetheless be protected below worldwide regulation, together with safety from refoulement—being returned to a rustic the place they face hazard—and from detention solely for searching for asylum. Trinidad and Tobago, a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Conference, is anticipated to uphold these protections. In instances of detention or threat of refoulement, people can contact CCHR without spending a dime authorized illustration.
UNHCR’s Multi-Nation Workplace in Panama will monitor the safety atmosphere in Trinidad and Tobago and supply distant help. A minimal workers presence will stay on the bottom to help accomplice organizations and advocacy efforts for a nationwide asylum system.
La Casita will proceed to supply community-based companies together with help for survivors of gender-based violence, restricted daycare and training, and counseling. CCHR will stay the first authorized accomplice, dealing with issues comparable to deportation orders and custody points.
The company confirmed that neither it nor its companions are at present providing help with fundamental wants like meals or shelter. Persons are inspired to go to the UNHCR Assist webpage at assist.unhcr.org/trinidadandtobago for up to date service data.
UNHCR additionally warned towards fraudulent actors claiming to be workers and providing companies in change for cash or favors. People are urged to confirm all data by way of official channels and report misconduct to [email protected].
The Neighborhood Outreach Member (COM) community will proceed to function till August 15, 2025, and stays a trusted supply for correct updates throughout this transitional interval. After August 31, inquiries will be directed to [email protected], which might be monitored by the regional workplace in Panama.
