The UN Refugee Agency will permanently close its office in Trinidad and Tobago on August 31st, due to global funding constraints.

The Port of Spain office will be closed to the public from July 25th, following which operations will be managed remotely from UNHCR’s Multi-Country Office in Panama, supported by a minimal local staff.

The organization advised that its local partners for assistance are La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre and the Caribbean Centre for Human Rights (CCHR).

Both entities provide free services to asylum seekers and refugees.

Via its website, UNHCR details its transition plans including its local asylum advocates, how refugees will access protection without a physical office and how they can access legal assistance locally.

Click here for more information on how to access help via UNHCR.