UNHCR procured and delivered more than 6.4 million face masks, 850,000 gowns, 3,600 oxygen concentrators, 640 ventilators, over 1,650 housing units and 50 hospital tents to field operations. In addition, six tonnes of personal protection equipment (PPE) and medical supplies have been airlifted and USD 30 million in COVID-19 related cash assistance has been distributed in 65 countries. [Source: UNHCR Global COVID-19 Situation Report]

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.

As of 10 May, over 3.8 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, with the United States and European countries most affected. Several country operations have reported cases of COVID-19 among persons of concern, but so far, the number of cases remains low with no reported sustained transmission in high-density refugee or internally displaced areas.

On 7 May, the first revision to the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan was launched, with briefings from UNHCR, OCHA, WHO, WFP and Oxfam principals, seeking USD 6.7 billion through December 2020.

The Secretary-General issued his report on 'Protection of civilians in armed conflict', which underlines the need for continued respect of international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international refugee law by all parties and actors to ensure effective protection for conflict-affected populations and an effective response to the pandemic.

UNHCR calls for aid and access to social safety nets for refugees as COVID-19 causes severe hardship.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi calls for refugees to receive the rights they deserve during the COVID-19 pandemic on the WEF website.

Despite pandemic restrictions, people fleeing violence and persecution continue to seek asylum in Mexico.

As of 22 April, according to WHO, more than 200 countries and territories have confirmed COVID-19 infections, including many fragile states. Thus far, no serious outbreak in a refugee or internally displaced people high-density camp/settlement has been reported

To date, a total of 6.4 million masks, 850,000 gowns, 3,600 oxygen concentrators and 640 ventilators have been procured by UNHCR and delivered to 25 high priority countries to support UNHCR’s and partners’ COVID-19 response in these countries.