The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Directorate of Human Mobility and Migrant Care, participated today in a regional exchange of insights regarding the care, referral, and reintegration of returned individuals, with a special focus on children, adolescents, and youth in El Salvador. This event was organized with the support of Germany’s cooperation and the Secretariat for Central American Social Integration (SISCA).
The primary goal of this initiative is to provide a platform for sharing experiences and enhancing institutional efforts related to the sustainable reintegration of returned children and youth in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. This is made possible through the “Alternatives” program by GIZ, developed in collaboration with SISCA.
These actions also serve as a learning and knowledge-sharing opportunity, with the aim of disseminating lessons learned through the analysis and reflection of outcomes achieved in various management strategies.
Rosa Girón, Director of Human Mobility and Migrant Care at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed, “In our country, we are committed to ushering in structural changes that enable us to create more and better opportunities for our population and to view migration as a possibility, not a necessity.”
She also highlighted that, concerning the comprehensive reintegration of children and adolescents, the country has undertaken a series of actions for this population, which is a priority, particularly for the First Lady’s Office. “I understand that you have become more familiar with the work of the Comprehensive Service Centers for People on the Move and that we have a Protocol for Humanitarian Assistance and Management for Salvadorans Abroad, which outlines procedures for the care of children and adolescents,” the official noted.
Furthermore, she emphasized that migration is a phenomenon that transcends the physical boundaries of each government and challenges us to collaborate in upholding the rights of all migrants. “Having allies is essential to achieve the best possible results. I appreciate the cooperation of Germany and the Secretariat for Central American Social Integration for their involvement in these 11 municipalities in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras,” she stated.
“It is undoubtedly a priority to coordinate our efforts with municipalities, as they are the ones who understand the needs of the population firsthand and contribute to making the central government’s management more efficient,” she emphasized.
She also reiterated that as the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central American Integration System during this semester, “it is very significant to address these issues and leave a legacy of the knowledge we have gained to build a collective repository in this regard.” Participating in this event were Felicitas Eser, the Director of the Alternatives Program at the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ), and Anita Zetina, the representative of SISCA.
In a world where migration remains a critical issue, this collaborative effort between El Salvador, Germany, and SISCA exemplifies the importance of international partnerships and shared knowledge in addressing the needs of returning individuals, particularly children and youth, as they seek to reintegrate into their home countries. These initiatives are instrumental in shaping a brighter future for those affected by migration.