Our visit to the UN in Ecuador

This week we had the honor of visiting the United Nations building here in Ecuador and learning about some of the work that they have been doing. One of the main things that we learnt, is that this office works with the government of Ecuador to find solutions to protect the refugee population. The refugee population we were told is largely made of people crossing the border from the neighbouring country of Colombia. These families leave their country and come to Ecuador for reasons such as conflict in their country or if they felt they were been prosecuted. Whatever the reason, the UN office makes every attempt to help the individuals.We were told that many of the people, live within the urban areas and have but have problems integrating due to different forms of discrimination. Children getting picked on in school was an example used or they can't go to school because they don't have a passport or the stigma attached to the fact that they are from another country. Our group was told that Colombians have difficulty integrating in Ecuador and that part of the role of the UN was to help them integrate and enhance the process by showing the community that not all Colombians were criminals. We were told that they had three options for the refugees, they tried to integrate them in society, or resettle them or give them voluntary repatriation and support from their home country. But they have to decide for themselves if they want to go back. Our meeting concluded with a discussion about a lot having to happen in Colombia such dialogue, community services and health care for people willing to want to return.

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