Study about Families on the Run in Central America and Mexico

Study about Families on the Run in Central America and Mexico

Reference: LRPS-2019-9148520
Beneficiary country(ies): Panama
Registration level: Basic
Published on: 30-Apr-2019
Deadline on: 15-May-2019 23:55 (GMT -4.00) Eastern Time (US & Canada), Bogota, Lima

Description
PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SERVICES

1.   Background

1.1  UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. 

1.2  In the last decade, thousands of Central Americans – particularly from Honduras and El Salvador – have left their homes and lives behind in search of international protection. Between 2011 and 2018 more than 446,000 people from the North of Central America (NCA) had fled across borders from their countries of origin, with an increasing number of them remaining in Mexico and Central American countries (20% in 2018). Despite the efforts made by local authorities to stabilize and reduce the level of violence in their countries, the root causes of forced displacement persist. Moreover, towards the end of 2018, large groups – commonly referred to as caravans – began mobilizing from the NCA with the aim of reaching Mexico and the United States of America. These groups are comprised by people with international protection needs, as well as migrants who seek better life opportunities, or hope to reunite with family members abroad. Overall, more than 30,000 people left in mixed large groups between October 2018 and January 2019.

Since 2015, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund, noted the growing trend of unaccompanied children fleeing violence in the NCA towards Mexico and the United States. While the number of girls and boys on the run continues to be significant, – particularly those traveling without their families or alone – the large group modality indicates a growing trend of entire families fleeing. According to protection monitoring exercises conducted by UNHCR in Mexico and Guatemala  to analyze the profiles of the persons moving in large groups between 2018 and 2019, close to 50% of the people fled in family units. Between 70 and 74 per cent of those interviewed indicated their lives would be at risk if they were returned to their home country. This first initial assessment indicates a change in displacement trends which need to be further analyzed to understand the unique and respective needs of different populations and to ensure an evidence-based programming accordingly.

This new pattern in the movement of people fleeing the North of Central America has also been reflected in the detention rates registered in Mexico. While in 2015, of a total of 35,700 children presented afore the migration authorities, only 48% travelled accompanied by a family member. In 2018, this proportion increased to 67% representing a total of 31,700 children. This behavior was registered in parallel to a significant increase of asylum claims in Mexico, reaching a record of 28,000 people in 2018, compared to 3,400 asylum claims in 2015.

In this context, UNHCR and UNICEF have agreed to carry a study – building upon the experience of the Children on the Run study - that will allow for a better assessment of the specific protection needs faced by families and children, including those fleeing in large mixed groups: Families on the Run. 

2.  Solicitation

2.1 The purpose of this Request for Proposals for Services (“RFPS”) is to invite proposals for the "Study about Families on the Run in Central America and Mexico" [as fully detailed in the Terms of Reference/Statement of Work attached at Annex B].

2.2  This RFPS document is comprised of the following:

·  This document

·   The UNICEF General Terms and Conditions of Contract (Services) which are attached as Annex A to this document

·   The full Terms of Reference attached at Annex B

2.3  This RFPS is an invitation to treat and shall not be construed as an offer capable of being accepted or as creating any contractual, other legal or restitutionary rights.  No binding contract, including a process contract or other understanding or arrangement, will exist between the Proposer and UNICEF and nothing in or in connection with this RFPS shall give rise to any liability on the part of UNICEF unless and until a contract is signed by UNICEF and the successful Proposer.

– PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCESS

1.    Proposal Submission Schedule

1.1   Acknowledgement of receipt of RFPS.  Proposers are requested to inform UNICEF as soon as possible by  to LEON CASES at LCGONZALEZ@UNICEF.org that they have received this RFPS. 

IMPORTANT: PROPOSALS ARE NOT TO BE SENT TO THE INDIVIDUAL STATED ABOVE – ANY PROPOSALS SENT TO THE ABOVE-NAMED INDIVIDUAL WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

1.2   Questions from Proposers.  Proposers are required to submit any questions in respect of this RFPS by  to LEON CASES at LCGONZALEZ@UNICEF.org. The deadline for receipt of any questions is [13th May 23.55 Panama Time].

IMPORTANT:  PROPOSALS ARE NOT TO BE SENT TO THE INDIVIDUAL STATED ABOVE – ANY PROPOSALS SENT TO THE ABOVE-NAMED INDIVIDUAL WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. 

Proposers are required to keep all questions as clear and concise as possible.   

Proposers are also expected to immediately notify UNICEF in writing of any ambiguities, errors, omissions, discrepancies, inconsistencies or other faults in any part of the RFPS, providing full details.

Proposers will not benefit from such ambiguities, errors, omissions, discrepancies, inconsistencies or other faults.UNICEF will compile the questions received. UNICEF may, at its discretion, at once copy any anonymized question and its reply to all other invited Proposers and/or post these on the UNICEF website and/or respond to the question at a bid conference. After any such bid conference, a Questions and Answers document may be prepared and posted on the UNICEF website.

1.3   Amendments to RFPS Documents.  At any time prior to the Submission Deadline, UNICEF may, for any reason, whether at its own initiative or in response to a clarification requested by a prospective Proposer, modify the RFPS documents by amendment. If the RFPS was available publicly online, amendments will also be posted publicly online. Further, all prospective Proposers that have received the RFPS documents directly from UNICEF will be notified in writing of all amendments to the RFPS documents. In order to afford prospective Proposers reasonable time in which to take the amendment into account in preparing their Proposals, UNICEF may, at its sole discretion, extend the Submission Deadline.

1.4   Submission of Proposals.  Proposers are required to submit their proposals and all requested documentation in respect of this RFPS by [EMAIL] to LACROBIDS@UNICEF.org.

IMPORTANT:  PROPOSALS ARE TO BE SENT TO THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY

1.5       Submission Deadline.  The deadline for submission of proposals is as follows:

[15th May 23:55]

Any proposals received by UNICEF after the Submission Deadline will be rejected.

BID SECTION - LACRO-OPS@UNCEF.ORG, Teléfono: +507 3017494

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