The repression of paramilitary groups in her native Nicaragua forced Maria and her family to flee to Costa Rica at the end of 2018. Since then, she, her husband, and their 4 children became part of the group of more than 80,000 Nicaraguan asylum seekers in the country.
Since the outbreak of Nicaragua’s social and political crisis in April 2018, the EU has funded the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) projects in Costa Rica. We helped assist vulnerable Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers, with a special focus on protection and cash assistance.
María and her family were among the beneficiaries of this aid. Thanks to the 3-month outlay, they could afford a place to live. Maria was able to buy a gas stove that she uses to make empanadas, which she sells to earn a living and support her 4 children.
“The aid came in handy,” said Maria. “I was happy with the financial help; you get excited. We are refugees, and we have someone to help us, thank God.”
Story and photos by UNHCR Costa Rica.