The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) protects people forced to flee due to conflict and persecution, working with governments and partners in over 130 countries to provide life-saving support and safeguard their rights.
The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Panama supports refugees and asylum seekers in nine Caribbean states and territories: Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Curaçao, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. MCO Panama collaborates with governments, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society, and host communities to help displaced people find safety and rebuild their lives, addressing Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Colombian displacement situations in the region.
UNHCR established an office in Aruba in 2018, covering both Aruba and Curaçao. The office works closely with local authorities, civil society, and host communities to provide protection, legal assistance, and emergency support to refugees and asylum seekers. It also advocates for sustainable solutions, promotes social inclusion, and strengthens the local response capacity to better support displaced populations in these territories.