UN says protecting refugees and migrants benefits all

As Covid-19 continues to devastate lives and livelihoods around the globe, hitting the most vulnerable the hardest, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling on all view the crisis as an opportunity to reimagine human mobility for the benefit of everyone. 

In a video message to present his new Policy Brief, entitled “COVID-19 and People on the Move”, he lamented that millions of people on the move, such as refugees and internally displaced persons who are forced to flee their homes from violence or disaster, or migrants in precarious situations, now face three crises rolled into one.

Firstly, Guterres noted, they are confronted with the health crisis in a context where in crowded conditions, “social distancing is an impossible luxury”.  Basic necessities such as health care, water, sanitation and nutrition are often hard to find.

Secondly, people on the move face a socio-economic crisis, although often without access to any social protection such as those working in the informal economy.

Guterres pointed out that “the loss of income from COVID-19 is likely to lead to a colossal $109 billion drop in remittances”, depriving some 800 million people back at home who depend on them. 

Thirdly, with than 150 countries imposing border restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, the UN chief said people on the move also face a protection crisis. He pointed out that xenophobia, racism and stigmatization are on the rise, and women and girls are particularly exposed to gender-based violence, abuse and exploitation.

Yet, despite these challenges, Guterres noted that people on the move are contributing heroically on the frontlines, in essential work.  As an example, he said about 1 in 8 of all nurses globally is practicing away from their native countries.  - Vatican News