While UNHCR is preparing and scaling-up its readiness and response in all countries with persons of concern (PoC), particular attention is given to situations where the pandemic is ‘an emergency on top of an emergency’; among them Bangladesh, DRC, Iraq, the Sahel, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and the Venezuela situation.

At the start of the lockdown, more than 550 vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers hosted in shelters and urban areas of Medenine, Zarzis, Sfax and Tataouine received food vouchers until the end of March, in order to avoid further gatherings.

Six persons detained in the Al Wardia Reception and Orientation Center were able to access asylum procedures, be released and registered, thanks to the collaboration between UNHCR and the Direction of Borders and Foreigners (DFE).

UNHCR in SUDAN COVID 19 PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE: To protect refugees and IDPs as well as their hosts in Sudan from COVID-19, UNHCR and partners have rolled out a massive prevention, preparedness and response programme. The Agency joined WHO and UNICEF in spreading awareness by translating posters in refugee languages, by briefing volunteers and IDP leaders, through leaflets and 15,000 text messages sent to urban refugees in Khartoum. In addition, in the first weeks after the first known case of corona virus in Sudan, UNHCR and partners distributed soap to over 260,000 people and established a surveillance system in refugee camps for immediate isolation of potential cases, reporting to the health authorities and subsequent testing.

UNHCR and COR SECURE THE RELEASE OF DETAINED REFUGEES AMID COVID 19 FEARS: To reduce the risk of infection in overcrowded detention sites, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the government’s Commissioner for Refugees (COR) achieved the release from immigration detention in the Sudanese capital Khartoum of Eritrean asylum-seekers for proper registration. They had been in detention for administrative reasons.

UNHCR and COR SECURE THE RELEASE OF DETAINED REFUGEES AMID COVID 19 FEARS: To reduce the risk of infection in overcrowded detention sites, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the government’s Commissioner for Refugees (COR) achieved the release from immigration detention in the Sudanese capital Khartoum of Eritrean asylum-seekers for proper registration. They had been in detention for administrative reasons.

UNHCR, COR and WVI PREPARE NEW SITE FOR CAR REFUGEES: UNHCR, together with COR and World Vision International are preparing a new site in Al Mashaga, South Darfur, for refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), stranded near the CAR border in Um Dafoug, South Darfur. The new site offers the refugees basic services unavailable in the border area and is easier to access for humanitarian and development actors during the rainy season. The relocation of the refugees is expected to continue throughout April.

Violence in Burkina Faso forces Malian refugees to return home - https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2020/3/5e6b56774/violence-burkina-faso-forces-malian-refugees-return-home.html

Violence in Burkina Faso forces Malian refugees to return home - https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2020/3/5e6b56774/violence-burkina-faso-forces-malian-refugees-return-home.html

A study visit was organized to Greece from 12 to 15 February with a group of Government officials from various Ministries (Interior, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Social Affairs), Parliament, and the Presidency.