Background on UNHCR Representative Giovanni Lepri
Giovanni Lepri serves as the UNHCR representative in Mexico. He recently announced significant reductions in staff and operations due to severe budget cuts, resulting in the dismissal of over 190 employees and closure of four offices. This comes amidst a growing humanitarian need.
Key Developments and Achievements
Staff Dedication:
Lepri highlighted the commitment of the dismissed staff, sharing an example: “By 3 PM, we informed them that the office would close, and by 5 PM, they were already working at a refugee shelter. That’s far beyond just a job.”
Annual Results:
Despite a 40% decrease in asylum applications compared to 2023, Mexico ranked among the top 10 countries receiving asylum requests in 2024, according to UNHCR’s Annual Report. Approximately 78,900 new asylum applications were recorded, primarily from Honduras (27,700), Cuba (17,600), Haiti (10,300), and El Salvador (5,400).
Integration Local Program (PIL):
The PIL program achieved a new milestone by facilitating the relocation of 13,000 refugees from southern Mexico to cities with better opportunities.
Comisión Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados (COMAR):
With UNHCR’s technical and financial support, COMAR increased its processing capacity, averaging 2,800 resolutions per month—a 20% increase from 2023. A total of 26,800 individuals were recognized as refugees or granted complementary protection in 2024.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite these achievements, the asylum system in Mexico faces significant structural and budgetary limitations.
- Tarjetas de Visitante por Razones Humanitarias: The issuance of these essential documents for employment and services plummeted by 97% compared to 2023, with only 3,755 issued between January and November 2024 versus 128,974 in the previous year.
- Service Distribution: Over 45,000 individuals accessed comprehensive services in shelters, and more than 196,300 hygiene items and 13,300 bedroom items were distributed. UNHCR directly supported 140 shelters nationwide and trained 4,600 workers on international protection and mental health.
Key Questions and Answers
- Question: Who is Giovanni Lepri and what is his role?
- Question: What led to the layoffs and office closures?
- Question: How many asylum applications were processed in 2024, and where did most applicants come from?
- Question: What challenges does the asylum system in Mexico face?
Answer: Giovanni Lepri is the UNHCR representative in Mexico, responsible for overseeing the organization’s activities and support to refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
Answer: The layoffs and office closures resulted from a 60% budget cut, causing significant loss of talent and forcing the organization to reduce its workforce.
Answer: Approximately 78,900 asylum applications were processed in 2024, with the majority originating from Honduras (27,700), Cuba (17,600), Haiti (10,300), and El Salvador (5,400).
Answer: The asylum system in Mexico faces structural and budgetary limitations, including a drastic reduction in the issuance of essential documents for employment and services, as well as limited resources for supporting shelters and training staff.
