Udenrigsudvalget 2019-20
URU Alm.del Bilag 176
Offentligt
2196580_0001.png
Photo: Jordi Matas
GLOBAL APPEAL
Danish Refugee Council
Protecting Displaced
during the COVID-19 Crisis
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0002.png
A Crisis in a Crisis /
GLOBAL APPEAL
Content
3
Executive Summary
4
Recommendations
5
Impact of COVID-19 on Displacement Affected Populations
8
DRC’s COVID-19 Approach and Response
10
Regional Highlights
11
Europe
13
East Africa and Great Lakes
16
Middle East
17
West Africa
20
North Africa
21
Asia
23
South America
26
Budgets & Reporting
28
Contacts and About DRC
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0003.png
A Crisis in a Crisis
Protecting Displaced
during the COVID-19 Crisis
GLOBAL APPEAL
Danish Refugee Council
Executive Summary
On 29 April DRC launched a global appeal for a total of USD 75 million to respond to the immediate
impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and support economic recovery during and post-COVID-19 for
displacement-affected populations in 37 countries within the sectors of Protection, Water, San-
itation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH), Basic Needs, Camp Coordination and Camp Manage-
ment (CCCM), Economic Recovery and Community Engagement and Armed Violence Reduction.
Today some 70 million men, women and children are displaced globally, including 25 million refugees, many of whom live
in precarious circumstances in developing countries. COVID-19 and related restrictions will have both an acute and longer-
term impact on their ability to meet their most basic needs and deepen existing vulnerabilities and inequalities and may
push millions into outright poverty, food insecurity and trigger increased inter-communal conflict and tensions with host
communities if left unaddressed.
While most people around the world feel the impact in one way or another, displacement-affected communities are
among those most vulnerable, both to the direct health impact of the virus given their limited access to healthcare and
the challenges to social distancing in often over-crowded dwellings, but also because their status and situation give rise
to specific displacement-related vulnerabilities and needs.
Governments across the globe swiftly adopted far-reaching measures to fight the spread of the virus, including border
closures, curfews and movement restrictions. While it appears that such measures have contributed to slowing down the
spread of the virus, border closures come with inherent risks for those fleeing conflict and persecution, who often find
themselves trapped at borders also affecting their ability to seek asylum in many locations. Lockdown and curfew measures
increase protection risks in households with already exhausted coping mechanisms. DRC field-based teams have further-
more observed heightened protection concerns for women and children in congested refugee and Internally Displaced
People (IDP) settlements.
Movement restrictions also exacerbate pre-existing crises and poverty. A clear tendency in all countries in which DRC operates
is the loss of income and livelihoods among displaced communities, immediately depleting already scarce resources and
dramatically affecting their ability to meet even basic needs, such as rent payment, food purchases, school materials, etc.
Negative coping mechanisms, such as selling assets or engagement in unsafe employment can further degrade already
precarious living conditions. Food insecurity is also likely to be considerably impacted in regions like East Africa or in Yemen,
where millions depend on food assistance to prevent starvation. Finally, movement restrictions have been imposed in all
but one of the countries in which DRC works, severely affecting the mobility of humanitarian responders.
DRC knows from experience how important it is to address long terms needs already from the onset of a crisis. The choices
we make today matter. We therefore call on our partners and donors for their continued support in addressing the basic
needs of displaced communities and enhancing their protection environment, right now, today, but also tomorrow and
beyond the current crisis.
3
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0004.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Recommendations
Protection, Access to Asylum and Rights must be upheld in a Time of Crisis
•
Access to asylum and other forms of international protection must be safeguarded and the principle
of non-refoulement respected.
COVID-19 should not be used as a pretext to limit access to international
protection including asylum. Emergency measures, such as border closures and medical screenings, put in
place to protect the general public health must never impede safe access for those in need of international
protection.
•
Ensure displacement-affected populations can access their rights and live a life in dignity during the
pandemic.
Measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should uphold human rights, and be strictly ne-
cessary, proportionate, limited in time, and neither arbitrary nor discriminatory. This includes enabling
access to basic services and humanitarian assistance as well as monitoring of their protection situation.
•
Ensure the protection of affected populations and their inclusion in both national response and
recovery plans.
While there have been positive examples of countries enabling unimpeded access to
healthcare for displaced populations, challenges prevail to their full inclusion in many countries. Further-
more, it is of paramount importance that displacement-affected populations are included in national
recovery plans to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’.
Impartiality, Non-discrimination, Inclusion and Conflict Sensitivity Principles
•
Ensure adherence to the humanitarian principles of impartiality and non-discrimination
to promote
a needs-based response centred around those most at risk and vulnerable. This includes addressing bar-
riers to accessing health and other essential services such as missing documentation or legal status and
related fears of deportation, movement restrictions, etc.
•
Ensure displacement-affected people have access to information.
All people should have access to
basic life-saving information about health and health services, including official government messages and
communication on the COVID-19 pandemic, without discrimination. Changes to DRC programmes, inclu-
ding the temporary scale-down or suspension of activities, or new emergency response interventions must
also be shared.
Resilience and Recovery - a Focus from the Outset
•
Support the resilience and self-reliance of affected populations through economic recovery activities.
To prevent a complete erosion of livelihoods and mitigate the worst consequences of the crisis, economic
recovery support must be scaled-up to preserve the resilience of communities and their ability to sustain
themselves both during and beyond the crisis where movement restrictions, increased prices, near collapse
of markets and loss of livelihoods will have insurmountable consequences if left unaddressed.
Enhance Local Response Capacities
•
Empower and include local organisations in the COVID-19 response.
Our local partners on the ground
play a pivotal role in the provision of humanitarian assistance to affected communities, in promoting their
rights and in community engagement, particularly in fragile or conflict-prone contexts where relations between
government actors and communities are sometimes characterized by mistrust. Responses to COVID-19
should complement and support such efforts where feasible.
Allow for Humanitarian Exemptions
•
Ensure local and international organisations providing humanitarian assistance have continued access
to populations in need
while adhering to do-no-harm principles including through humanitarian exemp-
tions to allow access to populations in need, the movement of critical humanitarian supplies and humani-
tarian staff, both within and across borders, and facilitate medical evacuations and other life-saving inter-
ventions without delay.
4
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0005.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Impact of COVID-19 on
Displacement Affected Populations
The COVID-19 pandemic poses a significant threat to displacement-affected popula-
tions globally. The effect of the pandemic is deemed to have both immediate and long-
term consequences for the communities we serve – who are often vulnerable, living in
over-crowded spaces with reduced access to health services and income generating op-
portunities. Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in all countries with active DRC opera-
tions and most have enacted policies of limiting public gatherings, domestic and interna-
tional travel restrictions, or curfews to contain the virus spread.
1
Immediate Effect on Protection
COVID-19 has had an immediate effect on people’s protection. While governments around the world have put in place
social distancing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, an increase in arbitrary and discriminatory practices that
restrict people’s freedom of movement has been observed. This hinders the ability to protect people of concern and further
restrict their access to essential services and ability to meet basic needs. Access to asylum and other forms of international
protection has also been affected in some locations due to temporary suspension of the procedure or a de facto suspension,
but also due to active and sometimes violent push-back from borders to prevent entry, increasing the risk of refoulement.
Furthermore, xenophobia, stigmatisation, discrimination and the social exclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, and
migrants are on the rise. There is a growing concern of the risks faced by children and women.
For children - family separation,
exploitation and abuse will likely increase due to changes in their living environment – such as school closures and
more families experiencing socio-economic hardship.
Due to restricted mobility, confinement, reduced community inter-
action and the closures of services, there is an increased risk of Gender Based Violence (GBV), including domestic violence
cases and femicide where shelters have reached their capacity or refuse entry to women who cannot provide proof that
they have tested negative for COVID-19.
2
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, DRC has witnessed an increase in psycho-
social support needs.
3
Loss of Income
The impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods is already visible, as access to income generation for people of concern has severely
decreased. People of concern are often working as seasonal and daily labourers, in the low-skill informal service industry or
are self-employed via micro-businesses and small or medium-sized enterprises. These sections of the economy have been
particularly hard hit by the economic downturn, movement restrictions and loss of consumers. For example, in Ukraine,
a
recent survey of micro-business grant beneficiaries, showed that more than three out of four respondents reported that
their business had been negatively impacted and four in ten were no longer engaged in business activities.
Approximately
three out of four participants cited COVID-19 as the reason for ceasing business activities.
4
In Syria, a similar survey with
micro-grant and vocational training beneficiaries, 97 % said their business had been impacted by crisis and 71 % had to, at
least temporarily, close their businesses, primarily due to government restrictions.
5
Finally, data from the COVID-19 global
update from MMC show how more than two-thirds of respondents in mix migration flows said they have lost income due to
COVID-19 restrictions and cite how reduced access to work is the main impact of the crisis.
6
An example from Iraq demonstrates that households with members working in the low-skill service industry, wage labour
or as taxi drivers have experienced significant reductions in employment compared to households with public sector
1 https://www.acaps.org/projects/covid19
2 https://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/2020/04/21/covid-19-protection-risks-responses-situation-report-no-3-as-of-21-april-2020/
4 DRC Country Monitoring Reports from Ukraine (April 2020)
5 DRC survey with 381 micro-grant or
3 DRC Country Monitoring Reports from Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia (April 2020)
vocational training beneficiaries in Syria
6 Reference: COVID-19 global update #11 – 27 April 2020: Impact of COVID-19 on refugee and migrants
5
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0006.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
employees.
7
As these sectors have been hit, the immediate impact on the employment and income generating oppor-
tunities for refugees and other vulnerable groups is evident.
In Jordan only 3% of Syrian refugee households surveyed
currently have a family member employed, down from 65% before the COVID-19 crisis.
8
In Turkey, almost 80% of Syrian
refugee households interviewed reported being negatively impacted due to government-imposed containment measures
(school closures, close of non-essential businesses, movement restrictions).
9
Initial data from DRC offices in Jordan, Iraq and
Nigeria
10
suggests that refugees are 93% less likely to have retained the same employment levels compared to members of
host communities.
Rapid Depletion of Assets
Faced with severe limitations on income generating opportunities, vulnerable displacement-affected people are forced
into using their already exhausted coping mechanisms to manage the current situation. In Jordan, only 4% of Syrian refugee
households surveyed reported having savings and this trend was echoed in other contexts, namely in Iraq (16%) and
Nigeria (9%) respectively. Without access to savings, many households find themselves forced to resort to other negative
coping mechanisms, such as borrowing money, selling assets or reducing their food intake. Evidence from Turkey so far
indicates that more than 75% of Syrian refugee households interviewed had to resort to one or more of these negative cop-
ing strategies to ease their financial burden.
This reduction in livelihoods, combined with decreased supply and inflated
prices of basic goods and services, will render many unable to meet even their most basic needs and increasingly put
communities at risk of food insecurity.
Longer Term Resilience at Risk
COVID-19 and related government measures will have a major impact on the resilience of people of concern, which
will not only affect their immediate coping capacity, but also their longer-term ability to sustain themselves and access
durable solutions. The global economy is suffering as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and projections suggest the global
economy will contract sharply by –3 percent in 2020, much worse than during the 2008–09 financial crisis.
11
This will
have both immediate and longer term impact on the livelihoods of many vulnerable displaced people. Often employed
in fragile economies, with limited rights as ‘outsiders’, a poor regulatory environment, sub-standard working conditions
and marginal access to social protection, displaced populations will be among those that are hit the hardest.
Potential for Deepening Conflicts and Triggering New Tensions
COVID-19 additionally has the potential to foster new displacement and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities by deepening
existing conflicts as well as triggering new tensions and outbreaks of violence. Given the often poorer governance in fragile
countries experiencing conflict, their ability to control and mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 is likely to be further
strained which can lead to severe health – and other consequences in turn sparking public anger, frustration and further
conflict.
12
Since the outbreak of the pandemic (as of April 18, 2020), more than
2,000 incidents of protests, riots, battles or
violence against civilians related to COVID-19
have been recorded across a total of 105 countries.
13
7 DRC Rapid Needs Assessment, Iraq with 1221 randomly selected beneficiaries from host community, IDPs and refugees
randomly selected beneficiaries from host community and Syrian refugees
and Kahramanmaras
World Economic Outlook
8 DRC Rapid Needs Assessment conducted in Jordan with 866
9 DRC Turkey COVID-19 Needs Assessment conducted with 290 refugee household surveyed in Sanliurfa, Hatay, Kilis
11 IMF (April 2020)
10 DRC Rapid Needs Assessment in Nigeria with 245 randomly selected beneficiaries from host community and IPDs in camps in Borno State
12 International Crisis Group (March 24, 2020): COVID-19 and Conflict: Seven Trends to Watch
13 Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project:
6
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0007.png
Photo: Jordi Matas
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0008.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
DRC’s COVID-19
Approach and Response
Since February 2020, DRC has been responding to the COVID-19 crisis by
adapting the
organisation’s core response competencies and situating the crisis within a
profound understanding of the risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities which
are specific to the displaced.
In March 2020, the UN/IASC launched the Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19. DRC is fully aligned with the UN
objectives to:
•
Contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and decrease morbidity and mortality
•
Decrease the deterioration of human assets and rights, social cohesion and livelihoods
•
Protect, Assist and advocate for refugees, internally displaced people, migrants and host communities particularly
vulnerable to the pandemic.
DRC’s core COVID-19 response areas
Protection
Responses include monitoring with a view to understanding protection risks and vulnerabilities during the COVID-19
crisis including issues relating to emergency legislation, asylum restrictions etc. Protection staff support legal aid services
in light of the COVID-19 situation, including supporting at risk people to acquiring personal documentation to access
health and other services related to COVID-19. Finally, protection efforts reinforce community-based protection mechanisms
and ensure Psycho-Social Support (PSS).
Basic Needs incl. Unconditional Cash
To enable people to meet basic needs including food, rent, health care etc., the distribution of unconditional cash, or in
some cases in-kind care or food packages to displacement-affected people impacted by COVID-19 will be a core response.
The response will ensure linkages with existing or new national and community social protection systems where feasible
and appropriate.
Economic Recovery
In anticipation of grave economic downturn, immediate alleviation is supported via targeting
food insecure populations
for
example through support to production, distribution of agricultural input;
financial inclusion
to ensure access to loan and
credit providers as well as more general livelihood support such as production realignment and/or development of new
businesses, including women-led businesses, wage subsidies, etc.
Community Engagement and Armed Violence Reduction
The response seeks to ensure access to information essential to communities’ survival, coping mechanisms and
to avoid the stigmatization and further marginalization of certain groups, manage rumors, work with existing community
mechanisms (early warning forums, community safety committees, youth leaders, customary justice actors and commu-
nity leaders) etc.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
DRC has as key role to play in promoting good hygiene practices through different channels of communication, increase
knowledge about how to avoid contamination, distribution of hygiene items, increasing the availability of water, sanitation
and hygiene facilities, e.g. hand-washing stations, etc.
8
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0009.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
With a view to reduce congestion and increase availability of appropriate infrastructure and facilities in crowded settlements
or camps, the response prioritizes site improvement and maintenance. This will be done through extension, decongestion,
partitioning and overall reduction in density by any means possible. Additional shelter and housing may be provided for
identified cases requiring isolation where self-isolation in an existing shelter is impossible in cooperation with health and
protections colleagues.
A full elaboration of DRC’s programmatic approach to the COVID-19 pandemic may be found on DRC's website
DRC’s COVID-19 Response Principles
A)
Humanitarian Imperative
Overall DRC’s approach to the COVID-19 emergency is to stay and deliver in respect of ‘do no harm’ and
duty of care principles to continue existing essential programme activities and scale-up according to
needs.
B)
Protection Mainstreaming and Conflict Sensitivity
DRC is committed to uphold the Centrality of Protection in our COVID-19 response. We know that displace-
ment-affected people are restricted in accessing services available to the wider populations. Similarly,
DRC is committed to ensure conflict sensitivity in our programme response.
C)
People-centered approaches, Inclusion and Community Engagement
DRC’s COVID-19 response is focused on our existing target group, i.e. priority to conflict- and displace-
ment-affected people. Vulnerable people will be prioritized, and DRC will take into consideration age,
gender and diversity factors. We appreciate that participation and transparency are central tenants of the
response.
D)
Engagement with and Role of Local and National Actors
We seek to ensure that local response structures and capacities are supported to withstand, cope, adapt
and recover. DRC will promote civil society-led COVID-19 responses, also within relevant diasporas; active
engagement with the relevant national and local authorities / duty-bearers.
E)
Resource Transfer and Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA)
Where analysis has determined that a resource transfer to individuals, households or communities is rele-
vant for achieving programme objectives, teams will determine the most feasible, relevant and appropriate
modality. This follows the Core Principle that "DRC promotes Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA)" when
feasible and appropriate as an optimal assistance modality.
9
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0010.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Regional
Highlights
COVID-19 has spread to all the countries in which DRC operates. Even though the spread of the virus is at very different stages
in each of the regions, current impact already demands both immediate and longer-term responses. Please find situational
analysis and specific challenges, the financial targets DRC seeks to mobilise towards per region and per sector.
Global Data Collection: COVID-19
Impact on Displaced and Migrants
DRC’s in-house knowledge centre, the Mixed Migration
Centre (MMC) adapted the existing 4Mi data collection
programme to remote data collection (by phone) spe-
cifically focused on the impact of COVID-19 on refugees
and migrants, especially those on mixed migration
routes out of camp settings. The project builds upon
the existing 4Mi infrastructure and network of monitors
and uses a mobile survey application, allowing for rapid
analysis and reporting.
This is the only cross-regional, large-scale primary data
collection initiative on the impact of COVID-19 on refu-
gees and migrants based on direct experiences of peo-
ple on the move. Remote data collection (estimated
1,000 interviews per month) is being implemented in
16 countries and in some regions accompanied by
additional qualitative interviews. The objectives are
to provide evidence to inform DRC’s and other huma-
nitarian partners’ targeted operational responses for
refugees and migrants affected by the COVID-19 crisis
and to inform global and regional advocacy.
Based on the data, MMC develops bi-weekly global
updates and regional snapshots actively dissemi-
nated through various fora and means, offering evi-
dence-based insights on the impact of the pandemic on
refugees and migrants, regarding their needs and vul-
nerabilities, their access to information and services,
their perception of the crisis, and their mobility. Longer-
term, MMC aims to further adapt its data collection
to measure the longer-lasting (as well as secondary)
impacts of the crisis on refugees and migrants.
Finally, data from the COVID-19 global update from
MMC show how more than two-thirds of respondents
in mix migration flows said they have lost income due to
COVID-19 restrictions and cite how reduced access to
work is the main impact of the crisis.*
Total Budget Need: USD 450.000
(see annex for breakdown)
*Reference: COVID-19 global update
#11 – 27 April 2020: Impact of COVID-19
on refugee and migrants
http://www.mixedmigration.org/
10
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0011.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Europe
•
Europe has been massively hit by COVID-19, and while national authorities have introduced a range of protection measures,
groups of internally displaced, refugees, asylum seekers or irregular migrants in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Georgia
remain outside mainstream services
•
In Greece, very harsh living conditions and poor health in congested refugee camps combined with strained service
delivery remain an enormous challenge in the face of COVID-19
Regional Situation Analysis
Displacement in Europe is complex and wide-reaching. With its estimated 2.5 million internally displaced persons, Europe is
home to the most protracted internal displacement. Around 99% of Europe’s internally displaced fled their homes some 15
to 25 years ago as a result of conflicts arising from rejected independence claims and territorial disputes. This is the case of
displaced families and individuals in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine and Georgia, where thousands of families and
individuals remain without access to safe housing, employment, education, health or legal documentation.
Starting from 2015, a spike in the number of refugees and migrants reaching the European Union (EU) by crossing the
Mediterranean Sea or overland has caused a new displacement scenario and significantly impacted European politics.
Between 2015 and 2016, over 2.3 million people mainly fleeing from conflict and poverty entered the EU irregularly through
Greece and Italy. Europe has struggled to cope with the influx; structured solidarity mechanisms have mostly failed and
regional or national attempts to shut down main migration pathways have resulted in displaced groups being stranded
predominantly in southern Europe and the western Balkans. Hundreds of official or informal refugee camps have been set-
up in the EU and neighboring countries, but four years down the line living conditions remain extremely difficult.
The COVID-19 crisis has hit Europe massively. As of end of April 2020, Europe keeps registering the highest number of cases
and deaths, amounting to over 50% of all cases worldwide. With few exceptions, public responses have so far provided
limited protection for the displaced populations hosted in Europe, and the COVID-19 crisis risks becoming a pretext for
further restrictions in asylum and migration policies.
Impact and Core Needs
There is an urgent need for scaling up COVID-19 outbreak readiness and response operations in humanitarian and protracted
displacement situations in Europe.
In camp settings, such as in Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, inadequate and overcrowded living arrangements
present a severe health risk to inhabitants and host populations. The absence of basic amenities, such as clean running
water and soap, insufficient medical personnel, and poor access to adequate health information is alarming. If no immediate
measures to improve conditions are put in place, the concern about an outbreak of COVID-19 in the camps cannot be
overstated.
For those living in informal settlements or irregularly in urban and rural areas such as makeshift camps, living conditions
can undermine the ability to follow public health advice. Furthermore, refugee and migrant workers will likely be affected by
income loss, and the ramifications that come with postponement of decisions on their legal status or reduced employment.
Finally, communities living in active conflict or post-conflict areas, such as in Ukraine or Kosovo, face further challenges due
to ongoing armed violence and pre-existing segregation. The closure of entry and exit crossing points has left people living
and working near the contact line with limited access to information, livelihoods and WASH assistance.
11
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0012.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
In Denmark, despite government efforts, the consequences of COVID-19 for citizens with a refugee or minority background
are exacerbated by the fact that many are already in a marginalized situation. Without – or with insecure – employment, with
effects of trauma and/or lack of sufficient Danish language proficiency, many risk worsening their socio-economic situation
and face a lack of knowledge about the current state of affairs, anxiety, fear, isolation and re-traumatization.
DRC’s Response
DRC has responded to the humanitarian crisis in Europe since 1956. Currently supporting aid operations in seven countries
within the EU and neighboring countries, DRC is among the few international humanitarian actors that has been steadily
present in the region, providing support to all major displacement scenarios. To cope with the COVID-19 crisis, DRC’s re-
sponse is organized across the following key activities:
•
Health assistance:
Ensure that vulnerable communities have equitable access to quality health care information and
services, including use of mobile units and telemedicine. DRC will also provide essential medical equipment, supplies
and Personal Protective Equipment to public healthcare facilities and health actors.
•
Protection, Social Work, Legal Aid:
Immediate focus on vulnerable groups such as Unaccompanied and Separated
Children (UASC), individuals exposed to domestic violence and Gender Based Violence, stateless people and communities.
•
Education and learning:
Support to families with children at home, including toys and learning material, learning material
to refugee centres and on-line support to school-work for refugee children.
•
Community Engagement and Information Dissemination:
Strengthen the provision of information to ensure awareness
of the COVID-19 risks, including through website in 25 languages, 24h helpdesks and hotlines, dissemination of information
in asylum centres and through outreach units.
•
Basic Need Assistance:
Food, Cash, critical Non Food Items (NFI) for refugees, migrants and affected communities living
in destitution or isolation.
•
Economic Recovery:
Promote community welfare with a view to inclusion and cohesion, through interventions aimed at
reducing poverty and social fragility; activate support to micro, small and medium enterprises that have substantially lost
revenue and face layoffs.
•
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene:
Perform repairs and essential maintenance to water systems in affected communities.
Distribute hygiene materials for hand washing/disinfection and scale-up hygiene promotion activities.
Estimated needs and beneficiary numbers
/ Europe incl. Denmark
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH incl. Health Assistance
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total
126,000
6,200,000
Beneficiaries
45,000
12,000
2,800
16,200
50,000
USD
470,000
1,230,000
2,030,000
740,000
1,730,000
Hotline for Refugees in Denmark – Support in 25 Languages
With the website and hotline coronadenmark.dk, refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants can get answers to que-
stions regarding COVID-19 in their own languages. DRC’s hotline and chat service is manned by language staff profi-
cient in 25 languages. Staff members have access to the Danish Health Authority’s latest information on the COVID-19
situation in Denmark and can provide answers to most questions. Outside the daily hours of 2–4 PM, it is possible
to leave a message in the chat window and get an answer the following day. The website is managed by Danish Refugee
Council and the consultancy Als Research and financed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
(www.coronadenmark.dk)
12
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0013.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
East Africa
and
Great Lakes
•
COVID-19 is compounded by the current desert locust invasion affecting several Eastern African countries
destroying livelihoods and rapidly increasing the risk of massive food insecurity
•
Social distancing will prove difficult among displaced communities in East Africa particularly due to the need for
frequent interactions for income-generating livelihood activities
Regional Situation Analysis
As a result of a combination of protracted and new conflicts, natural disasters, poor governance, insecurity and low levels of
socio-economic development, East Africa and the Great Lakes (EAGL) is one of the regions most affected by displacement.
Prior to the emergence of the virus, EAGL saw more than 11 million Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and 3.4 million refu-
gees, facing a number of protection, health and legal challenges, as well as difficulties meeting their basic needs.
While there are few confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst communities affected by displacement to date, the spread of the
virus in camps and settlements will further weaken refugees and IDPs’ health conditions. Cases have been recorded in all
nine countries of EAGL, with the highest numbers currently in Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.
Governments in the region have adopted far-reaching measures to fight the spread of the virus, including border closures,
curfews and movement restrictions. While it appears that such measures have contributed to slowing down the spread of
the pandemic in EAGL, they also exacerbate pre-existing crisis - including food insecurity - and impact durable solutions.
Social distancing and other barrier measures currently implemented in other parts of the world prove challenging to im-
plement in the EAGL context due to limited access to water, hygiene and sanitation, the overcrowding in urban slums and
the need for frequent interactions for income-generating livelihood activities. In addition, conflict and displacement often
impede people’s access to information, including on preventive measures. For instance, in the conflict-affected region of
Oromia in Ethiopia, the recently lifted 3-month shut-down of internet and phone networks – intended to reduce conflict –
limited the dissemination of information on the virus and modes of transmission.
Food insecurity is another serious concern in EAGL, after the region experienced prolonged periods of drought and above
average rainfalls that affected food production and increased humanitarian needs in 2019. Combined with precarious live-
lihoods, the impact of COVID-19 could result in more people dying of hunger and malnutrition. The situation is further
compounded by the current desert locust swarms currently observed in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Somalia destroying
crops and livelihoods.
Impact and Core Needs
COVID-19 interventions require improved access to WASH in camp and settlement settings and must ensure that communi-
ties affected by displacement have access to accurate information on prevention measures. Their inclusion in the national
prevention and response to COVID-19 plans will also be critical to enable timely access to health care, hygiene items and
other assistance as required related for prevention, treatment and recovery. The prevention measures are time sensitive and
actions should be taken immediately.
Current projections anticipate the emergence of increased acute needs in food and nutritional security, which are further
compounded by the desert locust invasion affecting some countries within the EAGL region. COVID-19 will also affect chil-
dren’s education, increase the risk of sexual and gender-based violence and has the potential to weaken social cohesion and
increase social unrest within the region.
13
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0014.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
DRC’s Response
DRC’s response to the COVID-19 crisis in EAGL is articulated around five sectors including WASH, protection, camp manage-
ment, food security and community engagement. Different modalities and approaches have been planned for each scenario
and will be rolled out as the situation requires.
DRC intends to contribute to the regional response to COVID-19 through an integrated holistic programming approach fo-
cused on providing lifesaving support to populations affected by displacement including host communities. Community
engagement and protection is at the core of our COVID-19 response approach and includes - among other activities - the
dissemination of COVID-19-relevant information to affected populations, conflict mitigation, rumour management and
Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response. In addition to the COVID-19 response, DRC maintains a focus on food
security, self-reliance and strengthening resilience.
Estimated needs and beneficiary numbers
/ East Africa and Great Lakes
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total
Beneficiaries
160,000
60,000
30,000
900,000
2,250,000
300,000
3,700,000
USD
1,400,000
1,250,000
1,140,000
1,360,000
4,650,000
5,200,000
15,000,000
Personal Story
Susan is a South Sudanese refugee living in Rhino
Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda. Because of
the current lockdown in the country, she has lost
her only source of income and is afraid of dying of
hunger as she can no longer afford food after pri-
ces have skyrocketed. As other people in the camp,
Susan now limits her movement. Despite border
closures, new arrivals from South Sudan are still
recorded, causing Susan to worry about potential
spread of the virus, which would be hard to contain
in the settlement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpZxv53k2K0
14
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0015.png
Photo: Mais Salman / DRC
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0016.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Middle East
•
Refugees and displacement affected communities in the Middle East have been instantly affected by loss of
income: An immediate injection of cash for those who lost their income is needed to prevent eviction, hunger and medical
emergencies for people with pre-existing health conditions.
•
Gender Based Violence (GBV) is increasing due to prolonged confinement and economic stress and the need for mitigating
risks faced by women and children is essential.
Regional Situation Analysis
The Middle East region is home to the largest number of displaced populations globally. Healthcare systems in Syria, Yemen
and Iraq, countries with more than 13 million IDPs, have been decimated by war and were barely able to respond to
pre-pandemic health demands. The healthcare systems in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, hosting more than 7 million Syrian
and other refugees, are already overstretched. The spread of the pandemic is expected to be devastating, especially to con-
flict-affected populations, given that many of them live in inadequate and overcrowded shelters or camps, with insufficient
access to clean water.
The real number of COVID-19 cases in the region is unknown because of limited testing facilities, however, governments in
the Middle East have imposed extensive lockdowns and social distancing measures to contain the spread of the virus. Few
displaced people can work from home or have the capacity to sustain on-line learning platforms. Furthermore, social ten-
sions are increasing, particularly in Lebanon, with a perception among both refugees and vulnerable host communities of
not having equal access to services and fulfillment of basic needs.
Impact and Core Needs
Loss of jobs and livelihoods is resulting in increased negative coping mechanisms among people of concern. Recent DRC
assessments in Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Turkey demonstrate that loss of daily and seasonal work increases the reliance on
negative coping mechanisms including selling assets, spending savings or reducing the quantity and quality of meals con-
sumed per day.
Continued economic distress and confinement increases the risk of domestic violence, with women and children most often
at the receiving end. The Turkey needs assessment highlighted a rise in household tensions during this period, that could
correlate with Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues in the longer term, suggesting the need for a continued robust GBV case
management response by governmental and non-governmental agencies.
DRC’s Response
DRC has operational presence in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Yemen and Iraq with 2000 staff reaching approximately 2
million people of concern annually. During the time of COVID-19 crisis, DRC provides:
•
Protection:
Mitigate increased protection risks due to COVID-19. DRC will expand its critical protection activities
including case management, Psycho Social Support (PSS), and referrals of vulnerable persons to other services. DRC will
expand individual protection assistance (IPA) to achieve protection outcomes in Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria.
•
Basic need assistance:
In order to protect people from resorting to harmful coping mechanisms due to sudden and
sustained loss of income and livelihoods, DRC will provide basic needs assistance in the form of cash grants and voucher
assistance in Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
•
Economic Recovery:
Seeking to protect small businesses and increase longer term resilience, DRC will provide a one-
time cash grant and asset replacement (where applicable) to small and medium-term enterprises and women-owned
home businesses in Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
•
WASH:
To reduce the transmission of the virus, DRC will increase access to safe water for hand washing and other
hygiene related activities. Activities will include water provision and provision of water storage, rehabilitation or provision
of vital WASH infrastructure at health facilities, schools and for vulnerable communities with high returns, distribution of
WASH supplies, risk awareness, provision of hygiene items and Hygiene promotion in Iraq, Syria and Turkey.
16
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0017.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Estimated needs and beneficiary numbers
/ Middle East
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total
Beneficiaries
14,000
71,000
8,200
1,200
160,000
600
255,000
USD
5,100,000
8,300,000
4,000,000
200,000
2,500,000
400,000
20,500,000
West Africa
•
The humanitarian needs pre-existing the COVID-19 crisis must not be overlooked. The COVID-19 crisis is already aggravating
existing protection concerns, livelihoods and food security. It is paramount to mitigate the worst consequences and support
displacement-affected communities during and beyond the crisis
•
Multiple threats will heighten tensions within communities already affected by the traumatic experiences of armed violence and
forced displacement. Conflict mitigation in times of crisis is essential in the Sahel region
Regional Situation Analysis
DRC’s operations in the West Africa region include some of the poorest countries in the world with Burkina Faso, Mali, the
Central African Republic and Niger ranking 182nd, 184th, 188th and 189th, respectively, out of 189 on the UN’s Human Deve-
lopment Index (2019). Plagued by decades of poor governance, climate change, and persistently low levels of socio-economic
development, West Africa has increasingly suffered from spreading insecurity resulting in over 23 million people in need of
humanitarian assistance, including 5 million IDPs and 1.4 million refugees.
The spread of COVID-19 has been accelerating since 15 March in each of the countries in West Africa despite the measures
put in place by governments. WHO announced a 51% increase in the number of cases reported in Africa the week of April 13,
2020 and a 60% increase in the number of reported deaths; although the numbers are believed to be much higher due to
limited testing capacity.
Impact and Core Needs
Various factors trigger the potential for COVID-19's rapid transmission in the region: poor hygiene and sanitation facilities,
14
lack access to clean water, overcrowding in urban slums, fragile states and health systems, and livelihoods based on daily
and frequent interaction. Furthermore, access to energy sources and food is also hampered.
15
Prevention campaigns in
accessible forms and languages, provision of hygiene kits, increasing available shelter for those at risk and provision of housing
for high-risk community members in transmission-shielded arrangements are urgently needed.
14 In Sub-Saharan Africa, about three quarters of the population don’t have access to basic hygiene facilities at home. JMP, UNICEF, WHO, Progress on household drinking
water, sanitation and hygiene, 2000-2017.
15 Daily visits to markets as there is no capacity to store fresh products or the financial capacity to buy in bulk and store.
17
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0018.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Multiple threats will heighten tensions within households already affected by the traumatic experiences of armed violence
and forced displacement and amplify the recourse to negative coping strategies to meet basic needs, as well as violence
against women. There is an urgent need to set-up a conflict-sensitive COVID-19 responsive protection monitoring where DRC
operates and provide emergency protection services for families (psychological first aid, psychosocial support, material and
financial assistance for access to care, referral to existing services).
Government measures to contain the virus impact the situation of the poorest households in camps and host communities,
who depend on the informal economy for their already fragile livelihoods and day-to-day survival. These measures also
limit the ability of pastoralists to move in search of pasture and water (a key coping strategy in the Sahel), hence possibly in-
creasing conflicts between pastoralists and farmers in these areas. The impact on the livelihoods of women, who are largely
dependent on the informal economy and the agribusiness sector, will result in a decrease or absence of income that will be
critical to maintaining families’ food and health needs. There is an urgent need to scale up cash and voucher assistance for
families most affected by movement limitations and market restrictions.
DRC’s Response
Having adapted its current operations with risk reduction measures to continue providing emergency humanitarian assis-
tance, DRC in West and Central Africa is now adjusting to respond to the challenges brough about by the COVID-19 context.
DRCs is well equipped to rapidly deploy a new COVID-19 response targeted displaced populations and in hard-to-reach areas
due to strong community and institutional ties. In these areas, DRC is able to strengthen activities in a conflict-sensitive
manner such as emergency protection, food security, distribution of non-food items, WASH and shelter.
This scaling up is coordinated with key actors in health and socio-economic responses and benefits from existing networks
of community focal points, local teams and know-how acquired in the region focusing on access and resilience employing
innovative approaches.
Estimated needs and beneficiary numbers
/ West Africa
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total
Beneficiaries
143,500
82,000
25,000
6,500
380,000
28,000
665,000
USD
5,280,000
6,725,000
2,015,000
710,000
4,050,000
1,500,000
20,280,000
18
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0019.png
Photo: Sebastian Rich
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0020.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
North Africa
•
Consistent delivery of humanitarian services has been impeded since the outbreak of COVID-19 and there is an urgent need for
governments to allow humanitarian exemptions to movement, including humanitarian flights, exceptions to curfews and
import restrictions in the North Africa region
•
Across North African countries, women and girls tend to bear the burden of caregiving responsibilities, including care for ill
family members, thus increasing their risk of exposure to COVID-19
Regional Situation Analysis
The North Africa region, comprised of country programs in Algeria, Libya, Sudan and Tunisia, is characterized by diverse dis-
placement contexts ranging from protracted refugee displacements in Algeria, ongoing internal displacement in Libya and a
combination of protracted and ongoing internal displacement in Sudan. All four countries host mixed migrant populations
in often vulnerable situations, while two of the four countries are, furthermore, affected by explosive remnants of war, thus
compounding the risks faced by these populations. In total, more than 300,000 refugees and nearly 2.5 million IDPs are pres-
ent across North Africa as well as a sizable but unknown number of asylum-seekers and migrants.
With the exception of Tunisia, insecurity, political instability and generally low levels of socio-economic development further
affect the region and the capacity of the countries to adequately prepare for and respond to COVID-19. While the current
number of reported cases across the region is relatively low, all countries are extremely vulnerable to a spike and to their
respective healthcare systems being rapidly overwhelmed. Furthermore, a majority of the population of North Africa are
anticipated to struggle to cope with the economic and social impacts of border closures, movement restrictions and severe
impediments to maintaining their livelihoods.
Impact and Core Needs
While the Saharawi refugee camps in south western Algeria, where DRC’s operations are based, have yet to report a case of
COVID-19, many humanitarian services are indefinitely suspended and the economy within the camps has been detrimental-
ly affected. Continued restrictions of both humanitarian services and movements to and from the camps as well are broader
country-wide restrictions are anticipated to continue to negatively impact livelihoods within the camps.
The already complex and fragile situation in Libya is significantly exacerbated by the emergence of COVID-19 despite a
relatively low number of cases identified. Most notably, hostilities have escalated dramatically, in and around Tripoli, which
is resulting in a further disintegration of the rule of law and continuation of human rights abuses. In addition to a fragile
public healthcare system, the economy is being directly affected. This is impacting vulnerable populations, namely displaced
Libyans, refugees and migrants who depend upon daily labour for their survival.
Although also characterized by a relatively small number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, Sudan is in the midst of a tenuous
political transition and continues to be impacted by years of underinvestment in public services, including the healthcare
system and water, sanitation and hygiene services. Similar to other countries in the North Africa region, the economy is being
adversely affected by the significant rise in prices of basic commodities, thus challenging the ability of many households to
meet their most basic needs.
The outbreak of COVID-19 in Tunisia is being felt from the capital Tunis to the borderlands regions, where restrictive meas-
ures such as curfews, limitations to movement and business activities on which populations rely for their livelihoods has
negatively impacted already precarious economic and social conditions. The closure of borders, in particular, has resulted
in an increasing number of individuals struggling to meet their basic needs with a consequent escalation in tensions in some
border communities.
20
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0021.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Overall, urgent humanitarian needs, in particular those associated with WASH and meeting basic needs are anticipated to
increase and persist across the North Africa region into the foreseeable future, while the economic impacts of the aforemen-
tioned restrictions are likely to have a detrimental effect well into 2021.
DRC’s Response
DRC’s response to the COVID-19 crisis in North Africa focuses on supporting basic needs through the provision of cash and
in-kind assistance as well as the provision of essential WASH, shelter and site management services, with priority placed
on the large-scale and most urgent humanitarian needs in the contexts of Libya and Sudan. While addressing the most
immediate needs, DRC North Africa will continue to provide food security and livelihoods support to the most vulnerable
displacement-affected communities as a means to mitigate the compounding economic and social effects of the virus and
related restrictions and to support early recovery.
To deliver the aforementioned services, DRC North Africa will utilize a stay and deliver approach, while shifting to alterna-
tive modalities of management and implementation, and adhering to best practices for mitigating the risk of exposure for
communities and staff, and DRC will also continue to respond to pre-existing humanitarian needs in the region and strive to
maintain existing life-saving and essential programmes while expanding initiatives to address the additional humanitarian
needs brought about by COVID-19.
Estimated needs and beneficiary numbers
/ North Africa
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total
Beneficiaries
6,000
9,000
3,000
409,000
400,000
1,000
828,000
USD
300,000
2,300,000
650,000
450,000
1,100,000
500,000
5,300,000
Asia
•
Many displaced people in Asia face administrative restrictions on their movement. Any barriers for refugees and other displaced
people to move for medical emergencies must be removed. Delays in access to medical care cause lasting harm or death to
patients unable to acquire this documentation
•
Support should be available for women and girls who may be affected by the outbreak and are also GBV survivors. Recognizing
that this may be co-occurring for some women and girls is incredibly important and requires that psychosocial and other
support be available and accessible
Regional Situation Analysis
Asia is home to almost half the world’s people living in extreme poverty, with over 306 million people living on less
than $1.90 a day. It is also the most densely populated continent making social isolation practically impossible for
21
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0022.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
many, especially the poor. Over 37% of Asian women experience GBV; the highest rate in the world. Furthermore, the Asia
region is home to 3.5 million refugees and over 13 million internally displaced persons (IDP). The majority of the refugees
originate from Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Bangladesh is host to the world’s largest refugee camp, Kutupalong, which is home to the majority of the 740,000 Rohingya
refugees who fled from Myanmar in 2019. The camp is only 13 square kilometres, making overcrowding a major issue and
the COVID-19 response is stretching infrastructure and services to their limits. The refugee population already puts immense
pressure on the health system, which impacts public health for both refugees and host communities. Within the camp, there
is limited space to expand necessary facilities. Water and sanitation infrastructure such as latrines, water points and bathing
places are limited, with many families sharing facilities. There have been five confirmed COVID-19 cases in the vicinity of the
camp, and 444 people in the camp are currently under quarantine.
In Myanmar, the ongoing civil war in the north-east, and ethnic conflict and persecution in Rakhine has resulted in over
400,000 IDPs. 128,000 Rohingya are confined to camps in Rakhine, where, due to government movement restrictions, they
are almost entirely dependent on agencies like DRC for water, sanitation and health services, as well as livelihood support.
While none of the 119 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been in camps, there is very limited testing. IDPs in some camps in
northern Shan and Kachin are already reported to be in dire need of food and facing water shortages due to movement
restrictions.
Afghanistan has been in protracted conflict for almost thirty-five years, which has seriously hampered poverty reduction
and development, and depleted households’ coping mechanisms. Afghanistan’s close proximity to Iran – a hotspot for the
virus – exposes the country to intensified risks, with over 150,000 people having crossed the border since the COVID-19 crisis
began into the country. As of 16 April, there were 840 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan across 12 provinces, including
Kabul. The total number of deaths stands at 30 with the first death confirmed on 22 March in Balkh Province involving a man
with no travel history outside the country. To date, testing has been small-scale which may account for the relatively low
number of confirmed cases.
Impact and Core Needs
The World Bank estimates that an additional 11 million people in Asia may be driven back into poverty as a result of CO-
VID-19. The impact of the pandemic is already hitting low-income people hard, especially refugees and IDPs who often work
in the informal sector or as migrant workers and have limited or no access to healthcare or social safety nets. Across the
region, the sudden and large-scale loss of low paid work has driven an exodus of workers from cities to rural areas, causing
many of them to fall back into poverty.
IDPs and refugees in Asia are at increased risk of COVID-19 because they are living in overcrowded conditions with limited
access to basic sanitation, thus there is an urgent need for decongestion of camps and construction of sanitation facilities.
The ability to access health-care services in these settings is already compromised and is now exacerbated by shortages of
medical supplies as governments prioritise some populations over others. While rates of violence against women and chil-
dren are rising, facilities for women and children seeking to escape violence are being repurposed as COVID-19 treatment
and isolation centers.
DRC’s Response
In the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, DRC is one of the largest site managers. DRC intends to build structures to aid
the COVID-19 response, such as isolation shelters, disinfection areas and hand-washing stations, as well as provide materials
to households to enable them to isolate part of their shelter should a household member fall ill. DRC will also train refugees
and members of host communities to produce personal protective equipment and provide cash for work opportunities to
help maintain household incomes. In response to increased rates of GBV and child protection issues, DRC will provide case
management and support to access health and other services.
In Myanmar, DRC manages eight IDP camps and is seeking to improve WASH infrastructure by rehabilitating and building
new sanitation and handwashing stations. Field-based staff have been engaging with communities within the camps to pro-
mote hygiene practices. Protection monitoring and case management of GBV and child protection cases is continuing where
feasible. In locations where IDPs can access markets, DRC will provide vulnerable households with cash to cover basic needs.
22
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0023.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
DRC is one of the primary humanitarian actors in Afghanistan with a robust operational capacity across the country respon-
ding to a variety of needs to returnees from Pakistan and Iran, as well as the extremely impoverished IDP populations. DRC
will address COVID-19 risks in congested IDP camps where livelihoods are affected by the close-down of markets and move-
ment restrictions focusing on the provision of NFI kits including hygiene kits; multipurpose cash assistance; vulnerability
screening, referral services, and the distribution of protection kits.
Estimated needs and beneficiary numbers
/ Asia
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total
Beneficiaries
47,500
135,000
3,500
314,000
270,000
160,000
930,000
USD
810,000
1,270,000
900,000
450,000
1,050,000
720,000
5,200,000
South America
•
Refugees, migrants, and vulnerable local population are already strongly affected by the COVID-19 emergency, further
stressing the urgency of a targeted response to meet priority needs in terms of food, hygiene and shelter
•
Person with special needs and persons with aggravated protection concerns must be supported with comprehensive
assistance, in particular unconditional cash, so as to mitigate multiple risks
Regional Situation Analysis
As a result of a combination of the influx of more than 4 million refugees and migrants coming from Venezuela to neighbou-
ring countries such as Colombia, Peru and Mexico and the long-standing low levels of socio-economic development, South
America is one of the regions most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The virus risk has also worsened the living condition of
refugees and migrants in Mexico.
It is estimated that there are approximately 2.8 million refugees and migrants coming from Venezuela in Colombia (2 million)
and Peru (0.8 million), while registered cases of COVID-19 total 23,150 cases (as of April 22) in the two countries. In Mexico,
10,754 COVID-19 cases have been registered, and in the town of Tapachula in South Mexico, an estimated 50,000 refugees and
migrants (UNHCR January 2020) are in need of humanitarian assistance.
More than 80% of the refugees and migrants in Colombia, Peru and Mexico are living through informal employment selling
products in the streets or through daily labour; thus, the confinement and social distancing adopted by governments are
impeding access to vital income leaving the majority of refugees and migrants unable to purchase food and pay rent. More-
over, DRC protection monitoring activities have highlighted that more than 70% of persons of concerns are irregularly
residing in the host countries which prevents them from accessing formal employment and health services unless for
emergency situations.
23
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0024.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Impact and Core Needs
DRC (Colombia) and two partner organizations in Peru and Mexico conducted rapid need assessments during the first two
weeks of April 2020 to identify the urgent needs of people of concern to set up an adequate emergency response. The results
of the assessments of needs pointed to food security, shelter, information and ad hoc assistance for Persons with Specific
Needs (PWSN) as key priorities.
The compulsory quarantines implemented by the governments of Colombia, Peru, and Mexico as prevention measure
against the spread of COVID-19 have massively reduced the sources of income through informal work for refugees, migrants,
and vulnerable host communities. Moreover, access to services for persons of concern has been drastically reduced as many
humanitarian organizations suspended their operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. Finally, information concerning preven-
tion measures is limited and needs to be enhanced to reduce the risks of contagion as well as enable access to health and
basic services.
DRC’s Response
According the needs identified through the rapid need assessments, DRC and partner organizations have designed an emer-
gency response aiming to provide rapid assistance for the most vulnerable households. The emergency response will focus
on the following activities:
•
Basic need aid through Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA):
DRC and partners are planning to expand their current
unconditional MPCA programs through a one-off cash transfer to vulnerable families to meet their urgent needs of food,
hygiene, and shelter for a period of two months. This intervention aims at providing an immediate response to communities’
loss of income due to the confinement measures put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.
•
Protection:
DRC and partners will enhance ongoing information campaigns about risks and prevention measures to fight
COVID-19, strengthen ongoing protection monitoring in order to identify protection issues to be addressed, and expand the
Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) programme to provide ad hoc assistance for persons with specific needs (PWSN) such
as health assistance, ad hoc NFIs, disability devices, emergency shelter for families living in the open, etc.
Estimated needs and beneficiary numbers
/ South America
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total
40,000
1,900,000
Beneficiaries
30,000
10,000
USD
360,000
1,540,000
Personal Story
Amilcar is a Venezuelan migrant residing in the town of Barranquilla (Colombia) with his wife and four
young children. He is an irregular resident in Colombia so he cannot access formal jobs and he is sup-
porting his family through daily labour as a mechanic in a local workshop. Due to the lockdown im-
posed by the Government of Colombia as a prevention measure against the spreading of COVID-19,
he cannot work to provide food and shelter for his family who are in need of immediate assistance to
get through the lockdown period.
24
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0025.png
Photo: Sebastian Rich
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0026.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Budgets and
Reporting
Budget and beneficiaries per Region
Geographies
Mixed Migration Centre
Europe
Middle East
EAGL
West Africa
North Africa
Asia
South America
Learning, Evaluation and Aid Transparency (IATI)
Total
6,544,000
126,000
255,000
3,700,000
665,000
828,000
930,000
40,000
Beneficiaries
USD
450,000
6,200,000
20,500,000
15,000,000
20,280,000
5,300,000
5,200,000
1,900,000
170,000
75,000,000
Budgets and beneficiaries per Sector
Sector
Protection
Basic Needs
Economic Recovery
Community Engagement /AVR
WASH
Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements
Total Programme
Mixed Migration Centre
Learning, Evaluation and Aid Transparency (IATI)
Total
Beneficiaries
446,000
379,000
72,500
1,646,900
3,510,000
489,600
6,544,000
USD
13,720,000
22,615,000
10,735,000
3,910,000
15,080,000
8,320,000
74,380,000
450,000
170,000
75,000,000
Mixed Migration Centre, budget per region
Geographies
Middle East
Europe
North Africa
West Africa
East Africa
Asia
Total
USD budget
120,000
35,000
15,000
55,000
190,000
35,000
450,000
What for
6 months of COVID-19 data collection in Turkey (monitor payments, staff, etc.)
3 months of data collection in Italy & Greece
Contribution to 2 project assistants in Tunisia (8,000) and 2 in Libya (2,000)
Adaptation costs to implement the 4Mi COVID-19 survey in West Africa (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger)
as well payment of surveys for a period of three months
6 months of 4Mi COVID-19 data collection in Kenya, Somalia, and possibly Yemen
including all costs for monitors, staff, adaptation, etc.
Production of a research piece on the impacts of COVID-19 on migrants and refugees in Asia (India,
Indonesia, Malaysia and Afghanistan) incorporating 4Mi data and supplementary qualitative interviews
DRC will be reporting towards the beneficiary numbers, impact as well as financial targets periodically. Reporting will be available on our website, and furthermore publicly available via DRC’s reporting
to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). Finally, DRC will be reporting directly to donors regarding individual commitments made toward the appeal.
26
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0027.png
Impact of COVID-19
A Crisis in a Crisis
Budgets per sector, per country
Basic
Needs
1,230,000
Community
Engagement
and AVR
740,000
460,000
220,000
90,000
45,000
295,000
40,000
90,000
720,000
200,000
750,000
980,000
56,000
70,000
5,100,000
200,000
1,100,000
1,100,000
1,100,000
1,100,000
500,000
1,400,000
190,000
190,000
190,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
330,000
120,000
230,000
5,280,000
200,000
900,000
800,000
1,300,000
2,000,000
80,000
300,000
1,210,000
3,400,000
15,000
2,300,000
1,200,000
100,000
200,000
810,000
200,000
550,000
60,000
360,000
240,000
60,000
60,000
670,000
1,540,000
1,040,000
250,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
900,000
1,270,000
600,000
500,000
900,000
50,000
600,000
250,000
450,000
50,000
200,000
200,000
1,000,000
50,000
200,000
520,000
400,000
350,000
15,000
650,000
130,000
80,000
450,000
150,000
250,000
50,000
300,000
1,050,000
720,000
8,300,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,300,000
1,000,000
3,000,000
1,000,000
1,250,000
150,000
100,000
200,000
100,000
100,000
130,000
240,000
150,000
80,000
6,725,000
1,000,000
1,100,000
1,140,000
100,000
60,000
280,000
100,000
60,000
120,000
240,000
100,000
80,000
2,015,000
250,000
1,000,000
500,000
2,000,000
700,000
500,000
400,000
1,100,000
800,000
1,500,000
500,000
500,000
1,360,000
150,000
150,000
180,000
150,000
150,000
140,000
150,000
140,000
150,000
710,000
4,650,000
500,000
500,000
750,000
200,000
200,000
400,000
750,000
500,000
850,000
4,050,000
450,000
100,000
1,800,000
1,500,000
1,300,000
5,200,000
500,000
1,500,000
4,000,000
600,000
800,000
800,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
200,000
200,000
2,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
400,000
400,000
244,000
65,000
65,000
80,000
705,000
270,000
100,000
100,000
530,000
25,000
Protection
Europe
Denmark
BiH
Serbia
Kosovo
Georgia
Ukraine
Italy
Greece
Middle East
Syria
Tyrkey
Lebanon
Jordan
Iraq
Yemen
East Africa and Great Lakes
Kenya
Ethiopia
DR Congo
Djibouti
Burundi
Tanzania
Somalia
Uganda
South Sudan
West Africa
CAR
Niger
Nigeria
Cameroun
Mali
Burkino Faso
North Africa
Libya
Tunisia
Algier
Sudan
Asia
Afghanistan
Myanmar
Bangladesh
South America
Colombia
Peru
Mexico
Mixed Migration Centre
Aid Transparency**
TOTAL USD
*WASH includes Health services in Europe and West Africa
**IATI reporting and real time evaluation
Economic
2,030,000
WASH*
1,730,000
CCCM
Total
6,200,000
460,000
990,000
1,389,000
425,000
850,000
1,805,000
211,000
70,000
20,500,000
2,800,000
3,400,000
3,800,000
2,900,000
6,100,000
1,500,000
15,000,000
1,590,000
2,500,000
1,600,000
600,000
560,000
2,140,000
1,710,000
1,110,000
3,190,000
20,280,000
1,900,000
3,500,000
2,800,000
3,610,000
6,380,000
2,090,000
5,300,000
2,650,000
550,000
200,000
1,900,000
5,200,000
900,000
2,550,000
1,750,000
1,900,000
1,280,000
310,000
310,000
450,000
170,000
75,000,000
470,000
27
 URU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 176: Baggrundsmateriale til åbent samråd med udenrigsministeren den 29. maj 2020 om implementering af fredsaftalen i Colombia
2196580_0028.png
Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council
(DRC) is Denmark’s largest, a leading international
NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in
forced displacement.
In 40 countries 9,000 employees protect, advocate
and build sustainable futures for refugees and other
displacement affected people and communities.
DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the
acute crisis, in exile, when settling and integrating
in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides pro-
tection and life-saving humanitarian assistance.
DRC supports displaced persons in becoming
self-reliant and included into hosting societies.
DRC works with civil society and responsible autho-
rities to promote protection of rights and peaceful
coexistence.
Our 7,500 volunteers in Denmark make an invalua-
ble difference in integration activities throughout
the country.
Since DRC’s earliest days assisting displaced Hun-
garians in Denmark, the organisation has never
stopped helping people who fled war and perse-
cution. Not since World War II have more people
needed help. The world is witnessing world records
of refugees and displaced, in total 70.8 million.
DRC’s annual turnover today exceeds 3 billion DKK
(€400 million), and the help reaches more than 5.7
million people in the world.
DRC’s code of conduct sits at the core of our or-
ganizational mission, and DRC aims at the highest
ethical and professional standards. DRC has been
certified as meeting the highest quality standards
according to the Core Humanitarian Standard on
Quality and Accountability.
HRH Crown Princess Mary is DRC’s patron.
Danish Refugee Council / Borgergade 10, 3rd floor / DK-1300 Copenhagen K / Tel.: +45 3373 5000 / [email protected] / www.drc.ngo