UNHCR and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 03 February 2020, with the overall goal of ensuring refugees and other forcibly displaced can access vaccines on par with nationals. The MoU also looks at expanding coverage and quality of immunization services, promoting equity in access and uptake of vaccines, and strengthening health systems at community and primary care level.

UNHCR, OHCHR, IOM, and WHO published a joint press release advocating for the protection of the rights and health of refugees, migrants and stateless persons in COVID-19 response, calling for inclusive responses and the immediate release of detained refugees and migrants who are held without sufficient legal basis.

In a joint statement, UNHCR, IOM and UNICEF welcomed the first relocation of unaccompanied children from Greece as a strong message of European Solidarity.

On 11 May, UNHCR launched the revised UNHCR Coronavirus emergency appeal, seeking a total amount of USD 745 million to boost preparedness, prevention and response activities to address the immediate public health needs of refugees, IDPs and host communities prompted by the spread of COVID-19.

UNHCR is warning that many displaced indigenous communities in Latin America are now dangerously exposed and at risk of COVID-19.

The number of reported COVID-19 cases has risen to over 5.4 million worldwide, with over 340,000 deaths. The spread of COVID-19 is increasing rapidly in Africa, with the majority of countries experiencing community transmission.

With Latin America emerging as a new epicenter, Venezuelan refugees and migrants are in need of additional support. On 26 May, the International Donors Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants raised some USD 2.79 billion for host states and organisations helping the Venezuelans.

Since the end of April, UNHCR has delivered 1.8 million masks, 800,000 gloves, as well as personal protective equipment kits, hand sanitizers, gowns, goggles and thermometers to 12 UNHCR operations. Additional equipment was purchased locally.

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 has stepped up its efforts in Brazil to protect tens of thousands of refugees and migrants from Venezuela and their host communities, as the Latin American country has become the second worst affected country in the world.