Operational Considerations: COVID-19 and Forced Displacement in the Middle East and East Africa

Abstract

Across the Middle East and East Africa, COVID-19 is compounding vulnerabilities already experienced by populations forcibly displaced by war (refugees, asylum-seekers, internally-displaced and stateless persons). In addition to the devastating health threat the pandemic poses, lockdown measures imposed by governments to reduce transmission are having outsized effects on forcibly displaced populations, further entrenching poverty, xenophobia and creating new humanitarian protection issues. This summary paper puts forward considerations of the ways in which humanitarian actors, civil society organisations and government departments with specific responsibilities towards displaced people can contribute to lessening vulnerabilities in this pandemic. For further considerations and details on local COVID-19 responses by forcibly displaced populations across the Middle East & East Africa, see our full Background Paper: COVID-19 and forced displacement in the Middle East & East Africa.

Au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique de l’Est, la COVID-19 aggrave les vulnérabilités déjà éprouvées par les populations déplacées de force par la guerre (réfugiés, demandeurs d’asile, personnes déplacées et apatrides). Outre la menace sanitaire dévastatrice que représente la pandémie, les mesures de confinement imposées par les gouvernements pour réduire la transmission ont des conséquences démesurées sur les populations déplacées de force, contribuant à renforcer la pauvreté, la xénophobie et générant de nouveaux problèmes en matière de protection humanitaire. Les intervenants humanitaires, les organisations de la société civile et les ministères ayant des responsabilités spécifiques envers les personnes déplacées ont plusieurs rôles importants à jouer afin de réduire les vulnérabilités dans cette pandémie, que nous examinons ci-dessous.

Katika Mashariki ya Kati na Afrika Mashariki, COVID-19 imeongeza mazingira hatarishi ambayo tayari wanayapitia watu waliolazimika kukimbia makazi yao kutokana na vita (wakimbizi, watafuta hifadhi, watu waliokimbia makazi yao nchini mwao na wasio na uraia). Pamoja na hatari kubwa ya kiafya kutokana na janga la gonjwa hili, hatua za vizuizi vya kutoka nje zilizowekwa na serikali kupunguza kuenea ugonjwa zimekuwa na madhara ya kupitiliza kwa watu waliolazimika kukimbia makazi yao, kuongeza umaskini, chuki dhidi ya wageni na kusababisha masuala mapya ya ulinzi wa kibinadamu. Jarida hili la muhtasari linatoa maoni juu ya njia ambazo watoa misaada ya kibinadamu, asasi au mashirika ya kiraia na idara za serikali zilizo na majukumu maalumi kwa watu waliokimbia makazi yao zinaweza kuchangia kupunguza mazingira hatarishi katika janga la gonjwa hili, ambayo tunayazungumzia hapo chini. Kwa maoni na maelezo ya kina zaidi kuhusu miitikio mahalia ya COVID-19 kwa watu waliolazimika kukimbia makazi yao Mashariki ya Kati na Afrika Mashariki, angalia Andiko letu kamili: COVID-19 katika muktadha wa kulazimika kukimbia makazi: Uzoefu kutoka Mashariki ya Kati na Afrika Mashariki.

Please note: there is an accompanying infographic summarising the key points from the briefing.