Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Americas. In recent years, its population has been affected by political crises (coup d'état in 2009), natural disasters (hurricane Eta and Iota in 2020), an increase in extreme violence and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left economic losses of more than 1.9 billion Euros and the loss of 500,000 jobs.
In the midst of this scenario of despair, emigration is above all a struggle for survival. The reflection of this is the well-known "migrant caravans" of 2018 and 2020, where in groups of 2000 to 6000 people, Hondurans - including women, girls and boys - headed together towards the United States.
In relation to previous years, since 2022, there was a 300% increase in the flow of migrants from South America and the Caribbean, many of them accompanied by minors, opting for migratory routes that cross Nueva Arcadia, Cortés and Copán in Honduras, and different Municipalities of the department of Petén in Guatemala.
A GENDER-BASED PROJECT
OCDIH (Organismo Cristiano de Desarrollo Integral de Honduras) is a 27-year-old NGO that has been working on migration issues since 2016. Our current project together, seeks to reduce the negative effects of migration, as well as gender violence in five municipalities in Honduras and three in Guatemala.
In these regions there is an increase in the migration of young people with limited resources, with few opportunities to generate income and women who suffer gender-based violence. For this reason, the project seeks to improve the economic and social conditions of young people and adult women at risk of migrating, offering them alternatives so that they can remain in their communities. In addition, education on rights is promoted, so that those who decide to migrate, do so with the least possible risk, based on the knowledge they receive.
COMMUNITY ROOTING AND INTEGRATION
In Honduras, the project focuses on working in communities with men and women at risk of migration or returnees. With this purpose, OCDIH supports the strengthening and creation of Migration Committees, Youth Networks, Women's Networks and self-help groups. These spaces are the main agents in the transfer of knowledge, counseling, psycho-social assistance, awareness-raising on migration issues and respect for women's rights.
The project also includes the organization of learning circles, round tables and interactive educational events at both community and municipal levels, as well as media coverage of the issue.
To strengthen the sense of belonging, economic development is also promoted through vocational training and the establishment of entrepreneurial businesses, as well as the promotion of civic participation to empower women.
CARING FAMILIES IN GUATEMALA
In Guatemala, assistance is provided to migrants in transit, thanks to a cooperative alliance with ACOMUMSAM (Asociación Comunitaria Multisectorial de Monitoreo en Salud y Apoyo al Migrante) in the Department of Petén in Guatemala. ACOMUMSAM, supervised by OCDIH, accompanies 35 caring families who provide support, shelter, food and community health assistance to migrants in transit.
The route through Petén is one of the most frequent migration routes in Central America. With the assistance of OCDIH and ACOMUMSAM, migrants find a place to rest and regain strength. There they receive information on safe migration routes before continuing their journey to Mexico or the United States.
Projectinfo
| Project | Defense of the rights of people affected by the migration cycle and empowerment of women in five communities in northwestern Honduras and three in Petén, Guatemala. |
|---|---|
| Place/Region | HONDURAS Copán y Cortes Municipalities of: Nueva Arcadia, San Nicolás, Florida, Potrerillos and San Antonio. GUATEMALA Petén Municipalities of: La Libertad, Sayaxche and Las Cruces. |
| Partner | Organismo Cristiano de Desarrollo Integral de Honduras (OCDIH) and ACOMUMSAM (Asociación Comunitaria Multisectorial de Monitoreo en Salud y Apoyo al Migrante) |
| Target group | 9180 people – Women 51%; Men 49%- People affected by the migratory phenomenon, youth in migration danger, women and men in migration transit, returnees and/or their families Self-help groups members Caring Families in Petén, Guatemala |
| Activities |
|
| Duration | 2022-2024 |
| Budget | 170000€ annually |
| Sponsor | BMZ (Federal Ministery of Economics and Development, Germany) |