The Refugee and Migrant Response Plan in the Caribbean Sub-Region

Abstract

Small states such as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Aruba, and Curaçao are destination countries with some of the largest concentrations of Venezuelan migrants per capita. To address these migratory movements, the Refugee and Migrant Response Plan in the Caribbean Sub-Region (RMRP Caribbean) was established, consisting of various stakeholders, notably civil society, to direct emergency assistance and protection and to foster socio-economic and cultural inclusion. This chapter analyses the RMRP Caribbean as a case study of the role of small state civil society in global migration governance. The chapter draws on conceptual frameworks such as multi-level governance, regionalization and ‘invented’ and ‘invited’ spaces in exploring civil society efforts in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Aruba, and Curaçao. It is argued that although civil society is a key partner in the RMRP Caribbean by providing essential resources and services to Venezuelan migrants, civil society often remains overlooked in terms of funding and political engagement (policymaking, implementation and evaluation). The chapter shows that civil society efforts operate with or without response plans such as the RMRP Caribbean as nearly all of the examined civil society initiatives in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Aruba, and Curaçao existed prior to the establishment of the RMRP Caribbean and have provided resources and services that then were extended through collaborations as part of the Regional Response Plan. These conclusions raise important questions about agency, representation and accountability in global migration governance, pointing to emerging patterns and lessons for small state civil society in global migration governance.