Closed borders and COVID-19, the difficulty for refugees
7 Apr 2020

Closed borders and COVID-19, the difficulty for refugees

by | posted in: Africa, Asylum Seekers, COVID-19, Detention, Doctors without Borders, Ethiopia, European Politics, European Union, Greece, Horn of Africa region, IOM, Médecins Sans Frontières, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Trauma | 0

The world’s 70 million displaced people are one of the groups most vulnerable to COVID-19 while having the least tools to combat it. With COVID-19 spreading across the globe many countries have closed their borders, including for refugees. At present, 93% of the world population lives in countries with border restrictions for non-citizens and 39% live in countries completely closed to non-citizens. Countries that have traditionally welcomed many refugees are closing their borders and reception facilities. This has resulted in uncertain and dangerous situations for refugees. Meanwhile, organizations like the World Health Organizations (WHO) question the long-term merits of closing the border.

News highlights: Ethiopia to limit Eritrean refugee registration, Ethiopia elections postponed, COVID-19 hits Greek refugee camp, Commercial ships may face prosecution for Libya returns
3 Apr 2020

News highlights: Ethiopia to limit Eritrean refugee registration, Ethiopia elections postponed, COVID-19 hits Greek refugee camp, Commercial ships may face prosecution for Libya returns

by | posted in: Africa, Asylum Seekers, COVID-19, Detention, Doctors without Borders, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Commission, European Union, Germany, Greece, Horn of Africa region, Libya, Médecins Sans Frontières, Mediterranean Sea, Migration, Norway, Operation Sophia, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Sea-Watch, United Nations, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Ethiopia reduces Eritrean refugee registration by lifting prima facie status; Ethiopia postpones elections due to COVID-19; New Sudanese government needs international support to curb COVID-19; Uganda closes its borders to refugees; Eritrea called upon to release prisoners of conscience; First COVID-19 cases in Greek refugee camp; Cyprus pushes boat with refugees back to sea; Experts call upon the EU to revise migration policy; Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic broke EU law; EU to monitor arms-embargo Libya; Merchants ships returning refugees to Libya may be prosecuted; New NGO rescue mission in the Mediterranean; 1.600 attacks targeting refugees and asylum seekers in Germany; Germany considers asking refugee help; Stateless people could be denied healthcare; UN agencies urge protection of migrants and refugees; North Africa has most reported COVID-19 cases in Africa; Forcibly displaced people and migrants priority to curb COVID-19; And people leave big African cities due to coronavirus.

Medical vulnerability, travel history and lack of sanitation: refugees at risk of COVID-19
20 Mar 2020

Medical vulnerability, travel history and lack of sanitation: refugees at risk of COVID-19

by | posted in: Africa, Asylum Seekers, Doctors without Borders, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Horn of Africa region, IOM, Libya, Médecins Sans Frontières, Migration, Refugee Camps, Refugees in the EU, Somalia, UNHCR, United Nations | 0

“Coronavirus will decimate refugee communities if we don’t act now,” a serious warning from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) that addresses the vulnerable situation of millions displaced people around the world. Secretary General of NRC, Jan Egeland, foresees a “catastrophe” with “devastating” consequence if the virus hits one of the overcrowded and sanitation lacking refugee or displacement sites. The same sentiment was echoed by the Head of Health for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Dr Esperanza Martinez, who said that the spread of the virus would be “impossible to manage” if it reached the displaced communities of Syria or Yemen. Health organizations have made a number of recommendations to protect against COVID-19, but unfortunately many refugees live in a situation in which they themselves as well as their host government cannot follow healthcare guidelines.