Emigration, Deportation, and Refugees During the Pandemic - Harsh Realities and Key Recommendations for Honduras

In 2020, the response of the Honduran government to the Covid-19 public health crisis was a strict lockdown, the deployment of the military, and the declaration of a repressive state of emergency. During this time, Hondurans faced limited access to health services while a deteriorating economy disproportionately impacted the vulnerable and those already living in material poverty. Meanwhile, corruption cases related to the Covid-19 response by the government were exposed in the local media. For example, as of the date of this report, a $50 million investment in new mobile clinics produced no new services or capacity, and the inflated prices of medical supplies purchased during the emergency indicate that pre-pandemic corrupt procurement practices have only deepened. In this short brief, CARA describes the poor treatment of refugees and migrants and proposes key recommendations for civil society, the U.S. government, and international organizations.