Honduras: Protection Brief – January 2026

Countries: Honduras, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Operational Context & Analysis Honduras faces a multifaceted crisis stemming from a context of fragile law and order, pervasive organized crime, gang violence, widespread poverty and inequality, and high vulnerability to the impacts of extreme climate events. With one of the world’s highest murder rates1, violence in Honduras is generalized, chronic, structural, and indiscriminate, making it a primary driver of displacement. Access to protection and assistance remains a significant challenge, particularly for those facing heightened risks due to their vulnerability. Certain groups are disproportionately affected, including children, women, indigenous people, people of diverse sexual orientation, political activists, schoolteachers, transportation workers, and human rights and environmental defenders. These populations often require urgent and tailored protection responses and alternatives to address their specific needs effectively. More than 247, 000 people have been internally displaced in Honduras, with many more at risk of displacement. Internal displacement in the country stems from generalized violence and rights violations, including (i) social and territorial control by gangs, drug trafficking or organized crime groups, (ii) extortion, (iii) forced recruitment, use and association, particularly targeting youth; (iv) dispossession and destruction of housing, land, and property; (v) gender-based violence; and (vi) political violence. These multifaceted challenges faced by the Honduran population are starkly reflected in the significant number of Hondurans seeking asylum. During 2024, 27, 888 Honduran nationals sought asylum in México, ranking as the first nationality of asylum requests to this country3 and in 2025 remain in the top five nationalities4. These figures underscore the life-threatening situations that force people to flee Honduras. Additionally, in 2024, 44, 394 Hondurans were returned to their country of origin, and from January to December 2025, this figure reached 41, 110 people, 7% of whom were identified as having protection needs in Honduras and 14% who had requested protection outside their country. Since 2022, Honduras has also been a transit country for an unprecedented number of refugees and migrants. However, the dynamics changed significantly in 2025. Unlike the unprecedented south to north flows observed in 2023 and 2024, 2025 saw a notable reduction of 89% in entries. According to the Honduran National Migration Institute (INM), between January and December 2025, 39, 384 people entered the country irregularly, south to north route6. Meanwhile, according to UNHCR and partners, it is estimated that over 32, 200 refugees and migrants have travelled from north to south.

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