Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

Over the next four years, in partnership with USAID, El Refugio de la Niñez will implement a comprehensive protection model for girl survivors of trafficking, providing integrated care at its shelter Amor Sin Fronteras in Guatemala City. Importantly, El Refugio will uphold the rights of victims who are navigating legal proceedings. The organization will serve as a victim advocate and support trafficking in persons victims to understand the court system and their legal proceedings. It will support victims in following their case through the justice system to ensure that they are progressing, as well as prepare victims to testify in court and submit complete statements in support of their cases. For this purpose, El Refugio will also partner with justice sector institutions to ensure the victim's account is recorded in a way that mitigates re-victimization.

The project will also support returned migrant children and their families at three key points when they are returned to Guatemala: reception, reunification, and reintegration. El Refugio will strengthen Guatemalan government processes for the dignified reception of UC in Guatemala and Quetzaltenango by developing the capacities of child protection officers, psychologists, and indigenous counselors to address the needs of vulnerable youth. The project will also work with government institutions at the national and local level to ensure the positive reintegration of UC with their families, schools, and communities. 

USAID and El Refugio de la Niñez’s partnership is a step forward in aiding young people who have been the victims of violence or to human trafficking networks by providing reintegration and protection services, improving trafficking in persons prevention and protection, and strengthening the Guatemalan government’s capacity. USAID’s work with partners such as El Refugio de la Niñez will shift leadership and decision making to local institutions which possess the capability and credibility to drive change in Guatemala—a vision outlined by USAID Administrator Samantha Power through the Centroamérica Local initiative. Only through an equitable and sustainable response to these challenges, built upon the priorities and experiences of the people who live them every day, can we secure the safe and dignified lives of young Guatemalans.

USAID Guatemala supports programs that reduce poverty, promote overall economic growth and job creation, create opportunities for foreign direct investment, protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups, improve health and education outcomes, guarantee food security, and protect the environment.