Latin America: displaced people face significant risks and violence

The protection crisis in Latin America

Latin America is facing an unprecedented protection humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of persons displaced both internally and across borders.

Affected populations are facing alarming levels of violence and human rights violations, attributed to organized crime, gang activities, and clashes between non-state armed groups.

Although there are legal frameworks and policies for protection and solidarity, their implementation is hindered by economic inequality, lack of resources, xenophobia, and national policies that prioritize security over human rights and the protection of refugees and migrants.

As a result, the most vulnerable individuals have limited access to justice and effective enjoyment of their rights.

Key Findings

• Persons affected by conflict and other situations of violence experience internal displacement as a primary threat, while those who do not displace face restrictions on their freedom of movement.
• Refugees and migrants in transit face theft and extortion, which often triggers other protection risks.
• Refugees and migrants face discrimination in destination countries

• Access to international protection remains restricted in countries across the
  region due to the use of securitization
• Gender-based violence is a cross-cutting protection risk affecting all
  monitored profiles

The ProLAC Regional Protection Monitoring Report (October 2024- January 2025) is available in English and Spanish.

The ProLAC Initiative

In response to this crisis, the ProLAC Initiative provides a regional harmonized protection monitoring system to improve joint protection analyses, inform effective and coordinated humanitarian responses, and identify populations and areas with urgent needs.