Burkina Faso: Climate change and conflict pursue displaced Burkinabes https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2021/1/600e86334/climate-change-conflict-pursue-displaced-burkinabes.html

In the EHAGL Region, UNHCR and the WB have been collaborating to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on refugees using high-frequency phone surveys. Since May 2020, refugees have been included into the national socio-economic impact of COVID high frequency phone surveys led by the National Statistics Offices of the respective countries and the World Bank. These surveys will yield over 10,000 refugee households observations including two waves of data collection in Ethiopia (Sep-Oct), two waves in Kenya (May-Jun and Jul-Sep) and one wave in Uganda (Oct-Dec), one wave in Djibouti (Dec- Jan 21). The results from the Kenya high-frequency phone surveys show that COVID-related Job loss and unemployment have also affected Refugee households. Prior to COVID-19 outbreak in Kenya, there was a high level of unemployment among refugees. Due to the pandemic, the level of unemployment has significantly increased, with only about 8% of urban refugees and 23% of camp-based refugees reported having a job versus 53% for nationals. As the result, Refugee households are resorting to negative coping strategies. About 17% of urban refugees reported selling assets to generate income.

Sahel internal displacement tops 2 million as violence surges Grim milestone reached in world’s fastest-growing displacement crisis as fighting uproots 11,400 within Burkina Faso. https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2021/1/600a85bd4/sahel-internal-displacement-tops-2-million-violence-surges.html

On 14 January 2021, Jordan has become one of the world’s first countries to start COVID-19 vaccinations for refugees, and UNHCR has been working with the Jordanian government to vaccinate refugees and provide critical health, sanitation, hygiene and logistical support as well as personal protective equipment. UNHCR appeals to all countries to follow suit and include refugees in their national vaccination drives in line with COVAX allocation principles.

Roya, 20, an Afghan refugee, works in a tailoring workshop in Sarvestan refugee settlement, in Iran’s southern Fars province, along with around 50 other refugee women. The workshop was established by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and later expanded by the World Food Programme (WFP). It switched its production line at the start of the pandemic to make hygiene masks, in an example of refugees’ direct involvement in the fight against COVID-19, but also of their effort to safeguard their monthly income. Since February 2020, when the first COVID-19 cases were officially recorded in Iran, Roya and her fellow refugee tailors have produced more than 10,000 masks per day, which are delivered to health and humanitarian service providers across the country.

Pakistan: Islamabad: In order to respond to the urgent needs of refugees in Pakistan, UNHCR is providing a four-month cash grant to the most vulnerable refugee families who are greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the programme, UNHCR is providing Rs.12,000 one-time cash assistance to the refugees across the country. Some 80,000 of the most vulnerable refugee families are being targeted for this support at this time. Over 75,000 refugee families have already received the cash assistance.

Pakistan: Islamabad: In the month of November, UNHCR Director for Regional Bureau of Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Indrika Ratwatte, visited Pakistan. Mr. Ratwatte, paid a courtesy call to Foreign Secretary, Mr. Sohail Mahmood, Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador (R) Mohammad Sadiq, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Najibullah Alikhil, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan during his visit. Mr. Ratwatte, met with the Country Director of the World Bank, Ambassador of Germany and Switzerland, and the representatives of various key donors.

Pakistan: Quetta: The UNHCR Representative undertook her first visit to Balochistan in September. During her visit, she inaugurated the skills development project for refugee and local women in Quetta. She also inaugurated the state-of-the-art laboratory at the Children Hospital. The Representative interacted with male and female refugee outreach volunteers and refugee elders from different refugee villages in Balochistan. She met with the Governor of Balochistan, Justice retired Amanullah Khan Yasinzai and discussed issues related to Afghan refugees in Balochistan.

Pakistan: Islamabad: In the months of November and December, UNHCR with the support of other UN agencies and partners arranged activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

Pakistan: Karachi: UNHCR handed over blankets, sleeping mates, jerrycans, and plastic sheets to the National Disaster Management Authority for onward distribution to Pakistani communities who were affected by floods and rainfall in Karachi and other parts of the Sindh province. UNHCR also supported Afghan refugees in Karachi.