Refugees Are 60 Percent More Likely To Be Financially Impacted By COVID-19, New Research Finds https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports/2020/7/6/locked-down-and-left-behind-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-refugees-economic-inclusion?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWXpFeVptRXdZelpqWVRCaiIsInQiOiJCbEY4MElFTThmMnFFcmFrdDlHd0Y0MzY2a2s5UEJSUkdRME5YSWlQczFZMkQ4Vm1uWExYdXhHXC9qQXR5bXlBa3RwbVRHU3pQc1k0SE03NW1vZVJ1UXhPVVBienVTemtuODd1ZXkwUGRmQ055R1A4MVRTZ09tTVk1emtBMmNWXC8xIn0%3D

In a high-level event, UNHCR sought sustained support for Afghan refugees and refugee-hosting countries as support becomes even more urgent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and a deepening regional socio-economic crisis.

UNHCR launched a global online platform on the protection impact of temporary measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including access to territory and national asylum systems.

UNHCR and partners started distributing mobile phones and SIM cards to over 8,000 Burundian refugees at Mulongwe settlement in South Kivu Province. It will allow them to receive cash for food assistance via electronic payments.

UNHCR and partners continued to provide shelter assistance to over 3,000 vulnerable internally displaced households in Beni, Lubero and Rutshuru Territories, North Kivu Province.

UN chiefs urged sustained support to Syrians on the eve of the fourth Supporting Syria and the Region conference in Brussels as the impact of COVID-19 wreaks havoc on economies and threatens to further destabilize the region. Pledges for both Syria and the region in the amount of 5.5 billion USD were raised for 2020 and an additional 2.2 billion USD in multi-year pledges.

Pakistan: Islamabad: The emergency cash programme for vulnerable refugee families during the COVID-19 pandemic continued to be rolled out across Pakistan, with the support of the Government of Pakistan and in collaboration with the Pakistan Post. Both urban areas and refugee villages were covered.

Pakistan: Islamabad: UNHCR organized a number of virtual activities to mark the annual World Refugee Day on 20 June. Among them was a special virtual event convened on 19 June to commemorate the courage and resilience of refugees and host communities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic “on the front lines”. Multimedia content specifically tailored to mark this day was featured and shared on social media channels.

Pakistan: Islamabad: A meeting of the Friends of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees was convened by the Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Bernhard Schlagheck, on 24 June 2020. The following issues were discussed: UNHCR Pakistan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Refugee Forum, the Refugee Summit Islamabad, as well as the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees and its forthcoming Portfolio of Projects.

In Latin America which accounts for nearly half of the deaths and cases worldwide, the combination of the hurricane season in the north of Central America and COVID-19 is exacerbating humanitarian needs. To combat these emergencies, UNHCR in El Salvador, together with the joint response team provided aid to 1,150 communities and information to 1.2 million people, while in Guatemala, UNHCR delivered bulk beds and mattresses to shelters.