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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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We congratulated Canada on the decision to grant permanent residence to asylum-seekers working on the COVID-19 frontlines.

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Mr. Daneal Tenkir Arga, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Ethiopia

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Mr. Daneal Tenkir Arga, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Ethiopia

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Personally, I don’t have any experience with refugees to share but I believe that there are a lot of untapped potentials within the refugees. If we explore those potentials, the host community can benefit a lot. Refugees can come up with amazing solutions for the problem they are facing including COVID-19. I know that there many refugees with different backgrounds, what they lack is opportunity. What they need is a conducive environment to share their knowledge and skills. As we heard from the video message by Dr. Madeline Garlick, there are people from health background.  I think we should not consider refugees as dependent rather they are the ones who can benefit the society.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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In Uganda, refugees, aid groups and the government worked together to upgrade electrical networks and build new housing.

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Ms. Paula Valentina Buschor, Intern, State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), Switzerland

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Ms. Paula Valentina Buschor, Intern, State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), Switzerland

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Refugees can help in the health sector of the host country.  They can help spread information about the virus, for example in their communities. Furthermore, it can be noted that non-discriminatory access to services and treatment reduces public health risks.

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Mrs. Levgeniia Bulgakova, Project Manager, Civic organization “THE TENTH OF APRIL, Ukraine

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Mrs. Levgeniia Bulgakova, Project Manager, Civic organization “THE TENTH OF APRIL, Ukraine

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I can share some good practices in Ukraine.

In 2021 Ukraine has adopted the possibility for asylum seekers to have free access to COVID-19 vaccination.

Our organization, THE TENTH OF APRIL, UNHCR's implementing partner in Odesa region (Ukraine), has initiated the foundation of a Telegram web-channel that shares COVID-19 updates in refugee spoken languages. Refugee communities are involved into translation of respective messages to the Channel.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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In Bangladesh, more than 1,000 trained community health workers – all Rohingya refugees – went door-to-door in camps to look for possible COVID-19 cases as well as to provide residents with information on how to stay safe.

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Mr. Julius Linaani Mwayambwatji, Refugee Status Determination Officer, Directorate of Refugee Management, Namibia

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Mr. Julius Linaani Mwayambwatji, Refugee Status Determination Officer, Directorate of Refugee Management, Namibia

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The best practices amid COVID-19:

So far, Namibia did not craft guidelines for this, but we do the following:

1. We provide a good provision of running water in front of the office, so that people wash their hands before entering the office.

2. We sanitizes individuals before they enter the office.

3. We measure temperature and refer those who look unwell to the clinic.

4. We enforce compulsory wearing of masks whenever entering the office and everywhere within the settlement.

5. We demarcate appropriate sitting arrangement and space for our clients.

6. We had been giving sanitazation every morning to our clients before we start with normal duties.

7. We conduct interviews in a wide open space office and with a window open.

8. We keep appropriate distance whenever engaging the refugees.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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We also read about some European countries coming together to bring refugee children out of the overcrowded camps in Greece.

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Ms. Sophie Tabe Ebob, Foreign Affairs Officer, Ministry of External Relations, Cameroon

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Ms. Sophie Tabe Ebob, Foreign Affairs Officer, Ministry of External Relations, Cameroon

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One of the ways refugees can easily be integrated is by letting them participate in impacting their host societies in one way or another.  They could receive trainings from host authorities and other organisations on how to help their communities from contracting covid 19. Refugees could act as volunteers in the health sector by sensitising their host communities on what the pandemic is all about and how its spread can be prevented. Such refugee participation, will help curtail the pandemic and also act as a means of integrating the refugees into their host communities. Participating in the interest of host communities could also give refugees a sense of fulfilment especially as they would be playing a positive role in their host societies.

Moreover, apart from playing a sensitisation role, refugees with expertise in the health care sectors could if willing be recruited in covid centres as care givers to covid patients.

Refugees could also help respond to the pandemic in their different spheres of expertise. This could be done especially those with digital skills who can use it as a communication tool to disseminate information on the pandemic and how it can be prevented.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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In Mexico, more than 100 refugees and asylum-seekers worked for an appliance company that turned its refrigerator boxes into special screens used by medical workers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus while intubating patients.

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Ms. Khulud Alhamazani, Post-Doctoral and Fellow, Monash University, Australia

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Ms. Khulud Alhamazani, Post-Doctoral and Fellow, Monash University, Australia

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Solutions to address the challenges posed by COVID-19 on refugees.

· Health care facilities, which include testing, vaccines, medications and other provisions, should be made available for refugees.

· Refugees with medical experience can be integrated in these solutions to work as part of health care systems.

· Refugees can be trained to provide different forms of care to their communities.

· Detentions pose high risk of infection for refugees. Thus, resettlement and visa processes should be expiated in these circumstances.

· Refugees’ imposed vulnerability must be acknowledged. But most importantly, refugees’ ability to benefit their host societies should be acknowledged. They should be provided with the opportunity to benefit their own communities and their host countries and be a part of society.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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In Iran, an Afghan refugee organized Iranian and Afghan volunteers to encourage families to enroll their children in her sports programs.

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Mr. Vusal Amirli, Senior Inspector, State Migration Service, Azerbaijan

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Mr. Vusal Amirli, Senior Inspector, State Migration Service, Azerbaijan

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In our detention centers, there are some measures taken by us:

1. Two meters of social distance are required.

2. Hygienic antibacterial fluid and masks are provided.

3. We have emergency medical care and supplies.

Unfortunately, in the detention center that I work there is no asylum seeker or refugee for sharing his/her practice.

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Mr. Elvis Bwa’a, Graduate Training, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Solomon Islands

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Mr. Elvis Bwa’a, Graduate Training, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Solomon Islands

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The following are measures states have been taken to prevent and respond to the pandemic:

· Voluntary repatriation on hold.

· Local integration challenge.

· Resettlement flights initially suspended.

· Fully or partially closed borders.

· No exceptions for asylum seekers.

· Border closures.

· Restrictions on freedom of movement, such as quarantine and confinement.

· Mandatory measures to limit infection spread, such as masks and hygiene.

· Closures of schools and enterprises.

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Mr. Vicente Rodríguez, Senior Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Chile

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Mr. Vicente Rodríguez, Senior Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Chile

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- The closing of borders must be consistent with human rights, avoiding preventing people from seeking asylum, and respecting the principle of non-refoulement in cases of people seeking international protection establishing admission exceptions to asylum seekers.

- Limitations to access to public health are nondiscriminatory, necessary, proportionate, and reasonable to protect public health.

- Use of remote measures in asylum processes, including electronic means of receiving applications, video interviews, and others, taking the opportunity to upgrade their technology and their processes to adapt to the challenge of the COVID-19 crisis.

- Flexible approaches to resettlement procedures using remote technology and facilitating access to documentation.

- Implementation of complementary pathways, where states have worked to facilitate access to the means to issue labor and student visas.

- Establishment of alternatives to detention during the COVID-19 crisis.

- Refugees and asylum seekers have been permitted to work in the health sector in their host communities where they've been able to make a positive contribution.

- To assess gender-based violence cases, there have been established or reinforced helplines for counseling, online resources, radio, and other information has been made available to help people who could be at risk of sexual and gender-based violence to seek help.

- Reinforce access to education through digital means, building digital literacy, investing in digital infrastructure, making available open licensed school resources, and assisting educators and teachers, providing guidance on connected learning, and engaging the private sector.

- All measures must consider age, gender, and diversity.

Address other risks beyond COVID-19, including mental health.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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We praised Portugal for the move to give temporary residence to all refugees and migrants on its territory when the pandemic started.

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Mr. Abdellateef Saeed, Child Protection Officer, World Vision International, Sudan

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Mr. Abdellateef Saeed, Child Protection Officer, World Vision International, Sudan

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We also see the opportunities as well as increased needs for inclusion. In many such societies, we've seen testing, healthcare, and other services made available for asylum-seekers and refugees, recognizing that refugees, but also other members of the community, can benefit from this. We've also seen societies in which the potential contributions of refugees have been recognized to the health sector, where health services have come under pressure, and where there's been a need to reinforce this, by giving refugees and asylum-seekers who may have been trained in their home countries the opportunities to contribute to this. Stakeholder engagement has also seen opportunities for refugees and others to contribute more effectively to their host societies. And we've also seen communication with refugees stepped up, enabling us to reach out as UNHCR and other partners to support this also.

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Mr. Buhura Ntukanyagwe Valence, Senior State Attorney, Ministry of Justice, Rwanda

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Mr. Buhura Ntukanyagwe Valence, Senior State Attorney, Ministry of Justice, Rwanda

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In Rwanda, refugee camps were given a lot of attention to avoid and prevent speading of COVID-19. Young refugee girls and boys were trained to be youth volunteers to ensure that people especially in camps comply with measures to prevent spreading of contamination. The youth volunteer’s duty was to remind refugees in camps to adhere to measures such as keeping distance, wearing masks, washing hands, etc. The youth volunteers are still helping society to comply with COVID-19 prevention measures all around Rwandan territory.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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In South Africa, Somalian businesspeople distributed soap, masks and food to neighbors.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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In Kenya, a Ugandan yoga instructor offered her classes online to boost the mental wellbeing of her fellow refugees – and soon attracted students from around the world.  We have also been inspired by cooperation between refugees and members of their host communities.

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Ms. Oleksandra Zhurko, Project Manager of the UNHCR founded project (Legal Assistance to Refugees and Asylum seekers), Charitable Fund “Right to Protection”, Ukraine

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Ms. Oleksandra Zhurko, Project Manager of the UNHCR founded project (Legal Assistance to Refugees and Asylum seekers), Charitable Fund “Right to Protection”, Ukraine

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1. We started to use online tools for the registration and during the interview stage.

2. Speaking about integration – it is a big problem for Ukraine.  We can say there has been an integration of refugees ( who are already granted refugee status or complementary protection status by the State), but not of asylum seekers.

3. The positive side of integration during COVID was the possibility to receive online trainings or have an online job.

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Ms. Olive Uwigiciro, Registration Clerk, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Rwanda

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Ms. Olive Uwigiciro, Registration Clerk, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Rwanda

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Refugees in Rwanda, especially youth in refugee camps, do play great role in helping enforce COVID-19 preventive measures, Those youth volunteers you find them at places where many people use to gather like; markets, Community Centers, Hospitals, Food distribution sites..etc holding a bottle of hand sanitizer and thermometer keeping a keen eye on everyone who walks through the entrance in order to ensure; People have washed their hands, If they keep distance, To screen temperature and to ensure everyone wears face mask properly.

Parents do practicing positive parenting in the context of the pandemic and contribute in respecting all the guidelines provided by the govenrment as well as UNHCR and ensure these measures are respected.

In another part of the camp in Mahama camp people gather at a community hall to listen to a live special programme on how to protect oneself against COVID-19 on the Izuba radio station.

As response to the Pandemic, Refugee like other population In Rwanda were vaccinated and understand well the importance of the vaccine.

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Ms. Emmi Kemppainen, Associate Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Switzerland

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Ms. Emmi Kemppainen, Associate Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Switzerland

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With regards to prevention, information sharing has been essential to protect populations.
Integration of refugee communities and ensuring that the intended messages reach everyone, requires consultation with the groups to understand how they wish to access information; what are the existing information channels, who are trusted sources of information, how the community shares information. Engaging different community members is helpful and ensures that age, gender and diversity are reflected. To enhance inclusiveness, a good practice is to have information in several formats – taking into account among others persons with disabilities, children etc. Accountability is a two-way approach. This means in order to truly include refugees, there needs to be a process that also provides for feedback that would help identify the needs of the refugees.

One aspect mentioned on the video was the responsibility of the state to integrate pandemic safeguards and adequate response for asylum seekers. This means ensuring not only access to territory, but paying additional attention to safe, hygienic shelter and detention facilities. That of course would be the basic minimum also during times outside of the pandemic. This clearly has links to the general aim to include refugees in national systems and enhance non-discriminatory access to services, including health services or social security systems.

With regards to response, refugee and internally displaced populations have their capacity to provide meaningful inputs. Some may have experience working in the health care sector and can contribute directly in the response to the pandemic. As mentioned in the interviews of persons of concern, integrating refugees in the response can be in the form of community workers who could share information, counsel, provide community-based protection structures etc.

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Ms. Lisa-Marie Bache, Intern/CSP Fellow, International Organization for Migration, Switzerland

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Ms. Lisa-Marie Bache, Intern/CSP Fellow, International Organization for Migration, Switzerland

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- Prioritizing refugees/ asylum seekers living in community accommodations in national vaccination schemes.

- Organising / promoting specific vaccination opportunities for refugees / asylum seekers in community accommodations.

- Civil society organisations starting projects of online language learning, e.g. through WhatsApp, and collecting second-hand laptops for refugees / asylum seekers to continue their language courses online.

- Providing Covid-19 information material in various languages.

- Accepting asylum requests, in specific cases, in written form.

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Ms. Busisiwe Siska, Social Worker, Future Families, South Africa

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Ms. Busisiwe Siska, Social Worker, Future Families, South Africa

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South Africa

· We had public hospitals and clinics specifically assigned for COVID-19 response and they were receptive of all nationalities for primary health care. Quarantine beds/ rooms and oxygens were made available to everyone that needed them in the hospitals if they were still there.

· Saving lives became a priority when the pandemic broke out and the hospitals were not fussy about documentations.

· Many private companies came in numbers to donate food parcels to different organizations so that they could facilitate the distribution process to the neediest persons during the first hard lock-down and even afterwards.

· The South African government introduced the COVID-19 social grants which were accessible to nationals and non-nationals who have valid documents and meet their assessment criteria.

· Civil society organizations, communities and the government joined hands to work together to provide support in the different communities and reaching out to many with limited resources.

· Partnerships were strengthened during this process, which is waking to the advantage of the beneficiaries as they received and will continue to receive more holistic responses on their cases.

· The true essence of UBUNTU (humanness) has been demonstrated in many ways in response to the covid-19 pandemic, as individuals exercised sharing and caring for others. Moreover, individuals started appreciating the persons present in their lives, which revealed the inner strengths in humanity and the power of unity.

· Refugee led organizations came on board to donate and distribute food parcels and core-relief items to both nationals and non-nationals, which was also an opportunity to promote social cohesion.

· Individuals complied with the COVID-19 protocols and really took it upon themselves to protect those around them.

· The Department of Health, together with civil society organizations, partnered up to open vaccination stations that are inclusive and welcoming of undocumented persons who are nationals or non-nationals.

· The vaccine roll-out has been made available and accessible to everyone in the country.

· Access to services such as social assistance, counselling, renewal of permits and other psychosocial support activities (spiritual affiliations, etc.) have been made available through social media platforms and direct voice call sessions/assessments or Google platforms.

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Ms Muriel Jingura, Senior Resettlement Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, South Africa

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Ms Muriel Jingura, Senior Resettlement Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, South Africa

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Refugees are human beings just like everyone else and they are impacted by the pandemic in the same manner that the population of that country are. It is critical that states avoid discrimination and promote inclusiveness, even more so in an emergency like the one posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The following are the best practices for involving refugees in the pandemic response. This was also cited by the refugees from field reports:

Numerous refugees possess experience in a variety of fields that can benefit the state. For example, among refugee populations, medical practitioners are available to lend a hand, as we have seen in numerous states when a medical personnel shortage was clear. Refugees can help with the manufacturing of personal protective gears as we have seen from the stories. Mobilizing human capital from refugee communities provides numerous benefits for both states and refugees; it enables refugees who have lost jobs to re-enter the labour force, allowing them to feed their families and sustain their livelihoods, while states can close the human capital deficit. This in turn fosters usefulness, as refugees will feel valuable rather than feeling like they are burdening the host country.

By incorporating refugees, we can ensure that accurate information about the pandemic is transmitted in a variety of languages, reaching a large and diverse audience. This may also be a unique opportunity for refugees to develop as social and economic actors and contribute to the solution by promoting discussion and multicultural ideals.

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Ms. Aleksandra Mrkela, Child Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Serbia

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Ms. Aleksandra Mrkela, Child Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Serbia

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-communication, consultation and timely informing refugees and asylum seekers about the pandemic

-living condition adapted to the situation (enhanced hygiene, wearing masks…)

- access to health services (testing, vaccination, therapy…)

-providing Psychological Support Services (PSS) (support to mental health)

-specific attention to vulnerable groups (children, sick people, Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC)…)

-access to rights and services during the pandemic

-strengthening digital communication and uninterrupted implementation of services while respecting all measures

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Ms. Dragana Momcilov, Field Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Serbia

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Ms. Dragana Momcilov, Field Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Serbia

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States started taking a number of measures to protect refugees and other displaced persons.

Social media has enabled refugees to maintain communication with communities that have been reaching out to them to ensure that they continue to be involved.

Some flexible approaches adopted by many states included resettlement processing with the help of remote technologies and issuance of documents or access to relevant institutions.

Detention and restriction on movement: some states decided to release those who did not impose any risk.

Livelihoods and economic impacts: permitted to work in the health centre sector – and made a positive contribution.

SGBV: counselling helpline, information sources, safe houses/shelters, remote GBV case management

Child Protection: building digital literacy for students and parents, digital infrastructure, open-licence resources, assistance to teachers, engaging private sector.

Racism and xenophobia: positive messages communicated, non-discriminatory access to services and treatment reduces public health risks.

Increased opportunities and needs for inclusion: testing, health care and other services – benefits refugees but also limit infection; potential contributions of refugees who might have already been trained in their countries of origin; stakeholder engagement; communication with refugees.

Lessons learned: non-discriminatory access to health services; preparedness and flexibility; measures must be necessary, proportionate, and reasonable; AGD and disability-responsive.

Consultation with refugees and asylum-seekers; specific attention to children’s needs; other health risks – including mental health; value of multi-lateral cooperation; UN actors; relevance of the 1951 Convention.

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Mr. Junaid Chakerzehi, Community Based Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Serbia

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Mr. Junaid Chakerzehi, Community Based Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Serbia

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As in many countries around the globe, refugees and asylum seekers were in lockdown in Serbia. In many centres, persons of concern (PoC) started to intensify work in sewing PPE masks for the use by other PoC residing in the same centres, surplus masks were distributed to other centres around the country.

PoC were helping with the disinfection of the centres by spraying and cleaning together with staff.

Special volunteer groups based on rotational schemes, were carrying out duties such as, but not limited to, measuring body temperature at the entrance to the centres, providing disinfectants and masks to new arrivals, helping with informing others on COVID prevention measures, conduct daily tasks.

Those with backgrounds in medicine were called in to help as volunteers in medical institutions.

Groups of refugees came up with ways to go out in turns with special permits to buy goods etc. for their fellow residents by making special collection cards/lists and taking into account the hours they could leave their designated centres.

Everyone chipped in to be on duty to help staff to deliver food and other products to those in special quarantine rooms within the centres.

Some of above-mentioned schemes are still running to this day.

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Mrs. Josiane Uwineza, Protection Associate, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Rwanda

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Mrs. Josiane Uwineza, Protection Associate, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Rwanda

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Some refugee camps are different: The Emergency Transit Mechanism in Rwanda is for example an emergency settlement receiving evacuees from Libya, who go through difficult situations trying to cross the sea to safety. They are brought to Rwanda so that they can have access to case processing procedures, access their refugee status and for those eligible, be brought to third countries as durable solutions. They therefore come to Rwanda with high hopes to be resettled into the third world pretty soon.

However, COVID19 has changed a lot, including case processing timelines and movement to other countries: In December 2021 and January 2022,  case processing was going slowly due to reduced footprint, activated after many incidences of COVID19 among staff and PoCs. The best practice that has worked in the ETM is to mobilize PoCs and staff, recalling what prevention against COVID19 means: I.e. being able to have faster case processing and continued flights and movement to other countries: key messages tie these elements to the way PoCs and staff observe preventive measures such as wearing masks, washing hands and observing social distance to the quick and smooth case processing and durable solutions, and this has helped to see more people observing these measures, and incidence of the pandemic going lower.

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Ms. Anna Marie Phalashol, Legislative Consultant, Sangguniang Panglungsod, Philippines

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Ms. Anna Marie Phalashol, Legislative Consultant, Sangguniang Panglungsod, Philippines

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One of the difficulties in the Philippines during the Covid pandemic was the late implementation of the National ID System in the country. Although it was already in the pipeline before the pandemic, this contributed to the delay in the implementation of effective measures such as social distancing, and because there was no ID, there was no biometric data available.

There was assistance provided by the government which varied according to the capacity of the local governmental units (LGU). For example, those LGUs with better income and resources provided much more to their community, like giving one sack of rice instead of five kilos. The lack of national ID, which served as a data base for the community, caused delays in the distribution of help and assistance. This created chaos in the community because many people did not have the assistance that they needed. Many were not allowed during the lockdown implementation to go back to their cities and stayed for three months in the Philippines, since it was the first very tight lockdown there. Also, there were issues on corruption at the local level. The assistance was not given to the beneficiaries, but it appeared to have been distributed in the records. Hence, the lack of information was and continues to be one of the major factors at play when dealing with corruption and assistance delays.

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Mr. Vildan Drljanin, Protection Assistant, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, North Macedonia

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Despite the challenges they face every day, refugees and displaced people have stepped up, working as doctors and nurses, developing innovative hygiene solutions, and keeping their communities functioning.

We also read about some European countries coming together to bring refugee children out of the overcrowded camps.

In many countries, it was refugees who stepped forward to help. You may have read the stories about refugees working as doctors and volunteering to help host communities. We vividly remember a story about a Syrian refugee who is helping persons with disabilities in Skopje thus giving back to the community that accepted her. There are countless other such examples from around the world. They have all kinds of talents and are grateful for the help that has been given to them, and they are happy to give back. All they need is an opportunity.

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Mr. Cheng Ndoh Laban, Director, Great Step Initiative, Nigeria

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Mr. Cheng Ndoh Laban, Director, Great Step Initiative, Nigeria

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Some of the best practices of  refugees being integrated in the prevention and response to the pandemic

In spite of the negative impact on the livelihood and economic activities.

Refugees are being permitted to work in the health sector and made positive contributions. On the effect with displaced children, some of them have been built in digital literacy and they are able to come up with digital infrastructures. Take advantage of the open licence resources and gain access to education. Hence investing in various digital infrastructures such as schools.

However, they have also gained the opportunities and needs for inclusion through testing, health care and other services which benefits refugees and limits the rate of infection.

They  have also been potential  contributors to the health sector thus reducing the pressure on the later.

Refugees who are stake holders have the opportunity to contribute positively to their communities / societies. Apart from this, communication between refugees and the authorities have stepped up which  in itself is a psychological therapy especially during pandemics such as Covid -19.

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Mr. Hamza Ibrahim Baba, Special Assistant IDPs and Humanitarian Affairs, House of Representatives, Speaker's Office, Nigeria

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Mr. Hamza Ibrahim Baba, Special Assistant IDPs and Humanitarian Affairs, House of Representatives, Speaker's Office, Nigeria

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Needs of refugees, especially during health emergencies, can help keep communities safe. Public health professionals, community organizations, resettlement agencies, and healthcare providers can assist refugees arriving in the United States by providing them with information they need to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Resettlement agencies and community organizations, vaccination providers, state refugee health coordinators, health systems and providers, and health departments should work together to facilitate refugees’ access to COVID-19 vaccines as states implement their rollout plans. Healthcare system and he@lthcare providers can Reach out to patients and gather their updated contact information, preferred method of communication, and a plan for staying in contact if someone in their home gets sick with COVID-19.

Employers can Maintain flexible leave policies. Allow employees who are sick or who must care for others to stay home without fear of being fired or other punitive actions. Additional flexibilities might include giving advances on future sick leave days and allowing employees to donate sick leave to each other.

Community organisations and resettlement agencies can Engage trusted individuals within the refugee community, such as community leaders and community health workers, to support health education efforts and to deliver key prevention messages. Virtual community group meetings that integrate health education and question-and-answer (Q/A) sessions may be useful ways to convey information.

Public Heslth Professionals can Collect data about the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of refugees who have COVID-19 to understand risk.

Share information and available resourcesexternal icon about COVID-19 with partners. Work with resettlement agencies and other partners, such as employers, healthcare systems and education, faith-based, transportation, and housing organizations to find ways to break down social and economic barriers to COVID-19 prevention efforts.

Identify and secure funding for services to support refugee communities during the pandemic, such as wrap-around services for refugees in quarantine or isolation (e.g., temporary housing and child care), mobile testing, health education, and contact tracing.

Create health promotion audio and visual materials that are tailored to refugee populations. Consider featuring trusted members of the community. Create materials in different languages that are appropriate for a variety of cultures and literacy levels. Disseminate information through various channels, including via messaging apps, local radio stations, and social media, based on what is appropriate for local refugee groups.

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Ms. Astha Subba, Section Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal

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Ms. Astha Subba, Section Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal

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Refugees are most vulnerable during the Covid pandemic. Followings are some of the best measures taken to help refugees overcome these challenges.

1. Timely and accurate information on the pandemic, public health measures taken, as well as access to medical services.

2. Effective communication on policy changes affecting refugee  rights and obligations.

3. Effective commmunication on misinformation related to COVID‑19.

4. Effective distribution and easy access to basic health care kits.

5. Taking into account different levels of literacy, easy-to-read texts and other visual communication, such as photos or infographics, can increase the accessibility of information.

6. Communicating through trusted figures — such as religious and local leaders, NGO workers and volunteers, and social media groups — how handwashing and physical distancing can prevent spreading the virus.

7. Setting up mobile clinics around these vulnerable locations to be able to provide immediate testing, isolation, and treatment of people who test positive

8. Allowing  people to request asylum via online mechanims (video interviews, etc ).

9. Evacuating  people at risk from crowded camps and detention centers.

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Mr. Shekhar Poudyal, Director, Department of Immigration, Nepal

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Mr. Shekhar Poudyal, Director, Department of Immigration, Nepal

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The use of remote and electronic measures to facilitate the arrival of asylum seekers, such as remote interviews and allowing them access to online resources through such mediums.

Not holding refugees in camps for long and helping them by releasing them into the community if they possess no security risk, or risk of absconding has helped in allowing for systematic and managed arrival of more refugees into the nation.

While many refugees are dying because of working in risky sectors, allowing them to work in safe sectors such as the health sector, has helped a lot in integration of refugees as they are able to help people back in their host community.

With high risk of violence, especially in women, it could be risky as it can prevent them from properly integrating in the community, so establishing helplines and making online resources available to them, so that they can get help when needed is also one of the best practices.

Since many refugee children are not able to go to school, investing in digital infrastructure to build and improve digital literacy among children, and even adults, could help them continue their learning. Also, making school resources open-sourced is a great initiative as they can have access to even more resources.

Allowing equal access to services and treatment when necessary has also reduced health risks as a higher number of people will be safe from diseases and infections. During the pandemic, this could also lower the death rate and spread rate across camps. Along with that, they have been also provided with testing facilities, and other facilities which can help the public health as well as help the refugees in integrating to the community.

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Mr. Suman Kumar Nepal, Administrator, Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA Nepal), Nepal

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Mr. Suman Kumar Nepal, Administrator, Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA Nepal), Nepal

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In Nepal, the COVID pandemic also affects the life of refugees.

Health:

Refugees have a good assessment of the health services of the Nepal Government through the health insurance scheme. However, if someone is affected by COVID, this will not be covered by the Health Insurance scheme. The local governments of the municipalities of Damak & Pathari addressed the issue during the pandemic period by providing services without any discrimination. However, due to the lock down situation, they could not prosper in the labour market so their earnings went down.

Education:

Bhutanese refugees have a good assessment of education in government schools. Due to the lock down situation, schools were closed because the lower economic class families did not have a good assessment of the equipments for online education. For refugee children, it was a better situation than for most because UNHCR distributed learning equipments for the refugee children. Most of the government and private schools conducted online teaching during the lock down period.

PSN & Livelihood:

The most affected area for refugees during the lock down period is their earning capacity and adapting to the hosting community.

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Mr. Bharat Khanal, Section Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal

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Mr. Bharat Khanal, Section Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal

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Refugees are most vulnerable during the Covid pandemic. Followings are some of the best measures taken to help refugees overcome these challenges.

1. Timely and accurate information on the pandemic, public health measures taken, as well as access to medical services.

2. Effective communication on policy changes affecting refugee  rights and obligations.

3. Effective commmunication on misinformation related to COVID‑19.

4. Effective distribution and easy access to basic health care kits.

5. Taking into account different levels of literacy, easy-to-read texts and other visual communication, such as photos or infographics, can increase the accessibility of information.

6. Communicating through trusted figures — such as religious and local leaders, NGO workers and volunteers, and social media groups — how handwashing and physical distancing can prevent spreading the virus.

7. Setting up mobile clinics around these vulnerable locations to be able to provide immediate testing, isolation, and treatment of people who test positive

8. Allowing  people to request asylum via online mechanims (video interviews, etc ).

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Ms. Nik Hasni Sabihah W Ab Rahman, Assistant Director, National Security Council, Prime Minister Department, Malaysia

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Ms. Nik Hasni Sabihah W Ab Rahman, Assistant Director, National Security Council, Prime Minister Department, Malaysia

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1) Access to asylum

- Information is provided to asylum seekers on suspension of asylum processes and measures where they have sought gradually to resume these processes including health measures.

- The use of technology / digital technology in processing, including electronic means.

- Some countries continued to register or issue new or extend the validity of asylum documentation.

2)Communication, consultation, and engagement

- The use of technology, including social media, has enabled refugees to maintain communication with communities that have been reaching out to them to ensure their involvement.

- Consultation with refugees and asylum seekers.

3) Flexible approach was adopted in implementing the current system/process

- Not too rigid in processing resettlement.

- Use of interviews by remote technology.

- States facilitated access to issuing documentation.

- States facilitated the access to issue labour and student visas.

- Refugees and asylum seekers have been permitted to work in the health sector in their host communities. Hence, they would be able to make a positive contribution.

- Non-discriminatory access to health services.

4) Use of alternative detention

- To reduce health risks where detention facilities are overcrowded and there is lack of hygiene or limits on access to health care, there has been an establishment or expansion on the use of alternatives to detention.

5) Managing sexual and gender-based violence

- HCR established or reinforced helplines for counselling.

- Online resources, radio, and other information has been made available to help people who could be at risk of sexual and GBV.

- Ability to handle this issue remotely.

6) Access to education for children

- Specific attention to accommodate children’s needs.

- Reinforce access to education, including through digital means.

- Seek to build digital literacy among students and parents.

- Investments in digital infrastructure.

- Make available open licensed school resources and assist educators and teachers with instructional design.

- Provide guidance on connected learning.

- Engage the private sector.

- Assistance from key partners such as software and hardware providers to increase access to technology for learning.

7) Racism and Xenophobia

- Spread of positive massages to handle issues on discrimination, stigmatization or xenophobia.

- Acknowledgment that non-discriminatory access to services and treatment reduces public health risks.

8) Inclusivity

- The need for inclusion and the ability for asylum seekers and refugees to contribute.

- For example, refugees and asylum seekers can contribute in the health sector. When health services have come under pressure, giving refugees and asylum seekers who have been trained in their home countries the opportunities to contribute would be tremendous relief.

- Stakeholder engagement has also seen opportunities for refugees and others to contribute more effectively to their host societies.

- Measures must also consider age, gender, and diversity.

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Mr. Mohd Fazilah Mohamad Noor, Assistant Director, National Security Council, Prime Minister Department, Malaysia

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Mr. Mohd Fazilah Mohamad Noor, Assistant Director, National Security Council, Prime Minister Department, Malaysia

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The best practices of refugees being integrated in the prevention and response to the pandemic:

Access to asylum

1. Admission at borders for asylum seekers.

2. Provide information to asylum seekers on the suspension of asylum processes and measures where they have sought gradually to resume these processes including health measures.

3. The use of technology (digital technology) or any device in processing including electronic means.

4. Some countries continued to register or issue new or extend the validity of asylum documentation to ensure more access.

Communication, consultation and engagement

5. The use of technology such as social media has enabled refugees to maintain communication with communities that have been reaching out to them to ensure their involvement.

6. Consultation with refugees and asylum seeking communities.

A flexible approach was adopted in implementing the current system

7.  Resettlement processing by use of interviews by remote technology and facilitated access in issuing documentation.

8. Facilitated access to issue labour and student visas.

9. Refugees and asylum seekers have been permitted to work in the health sector of their host communities, thus making a positive contribution.

10. Non-discriminatory access to health services.

Improving detention facilities

11. Use of alternative detention.

12. To reduce health risks where detention facilities are overcrowded, lack of hygiene or limits on access to health care.

Managing sexual and gender-based violence

13. Established or reinforced helplines for counselling.

14. Online resources, radio, and other information has been made available to help people who could be at risk of sexual and GBV.

15. Strengthen case management by the ability to handle this issue remotely.

Education access for children

16. Specific attention to accommodate children’s needs.

17. Reinforce access to education, including through digital means.

18. Investments in digital infrastructure.

19. Seek to build digital literacy among students and parents.

20. Make available open licensed school resources.

21. Assist educators and teachers with instructional design.

22. Provide guidance on connected learning.

23. Engage the private sector.

24. Assistance from key partners among software and hardware providers to increase access to technology for education.

Preventing racism and xenophobia

25. Spreading positive massages and information regarding discrimination, stigmatization, and xenophobia.

26. Acknowledgment that non-discriminatory access to services and treatment reduces public health risks.

Opportunities and needs for inclusivity

27. Testing, healthcare and other service made available for asylum seekers and refugees. Thus, bringing benefits to the refugees and also the society.

28. Opportunities for refugees in the health sector. Since health services have come under pressure, giving refugees and asylum seekers who have been trained in their home countries the opportunity to contribute would be extremely helpful.

29. Stakeholder engagement has also seen opportunities for refugees and others to contribute more effectively to their host societies.

30. Measures must also consider age, gender, and diversity.

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Ms. Subashini Kamarapullai, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

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Ms. Subashini Kamarapullai, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

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(i) In Malaysia, the vaccine for COVID-19 is being provided to all citizens and non-citizens, including undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, and UNHCR cardholders.

(ii) Malaysia implemented the Emergency Movement Control Order (EMCO) and Movement Control Order (MCO) to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country in 2020. The UNHCR cardholders who stayed in those areas were made mandatory COVID-19 swab tests free of charge and have been released after being verified by the Ministry of Health to be negative. Those who were tested positive were provided with medical treatment accordingly at zero cost.

(iii) The Government has designated three centers to specifically treat refugees and migrant workers who have tested positive for COVID-19. Namely, the Sungai Buloh Hospital and the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, as well as the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang that has been transformed and equipped with health treatment facilities. These centers can accommodate up to 1,430 patients.

(iv) During the pandemic, UNHCR cardholders are allowed to have the access to informal education within their own community schools and schools administered by Non-Governmental Organisations (Alternative Learning Centre – ALC).

(v) Malaysia condemns the act of uploading racist material on social media and has been consistent in reminding the public against social media abuse and dissemination of material that can cause anger and affect public order. Alternatively, individuals or parties can lodge a complaint to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). MCMC will take appropriate actions against online contents that have breached the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998) and provide technical assistance to the relevant Lead Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in accordance with Section 263 of the CMA 1998 to prevent the commission or attempted commission of an offense under any written law of Malaysia.

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Mr. Konstantinos Zounis, Supreme Court Lawyer, Accredited Mediator, Arbitrator, Law office, Municipality of Polygyros, Greece

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Mr. Konstantinos Zounis, Supreme Court Lawyer, Accredited Mediator, Arbitrator, Law office, Municipality of Polygyros, Greece

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BEST PRACTICES A). For refugees and asylum seekers: - 1). Health-care coverage and accessibility to services for all refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in equal terms with nationals. In this framework lifting the financial burden from the individual patients is very important. 2). Communication policies facilitating access to health care. Disseminating information activities on available health services raising awareness about covid-19 must be provided, taking into account the obstacles of the marginalization of refugees and their limited local languages skills. 3). Camp settings. Taking measures to improve protection and decrease the virus transmission in refugee camp, prioritizing at the same time the vulnerable population are necessary measures 4).Migrant workers. Providing protection equipment and services to these workers (short-term solution) as well as engaging them in health and social protection policies (long-term solution) is recommended. 5). Access to covid-19 vaccine. Equitable inclusion of refugees and migrants in the national plan of vaccination is crucial.

B). For migrants and asylum seekers already within the national borders:1). Extension of visas, residence, and work permits. This policy prevents migrants from falling into an irregular situation, 2). Facilitation of access to the labour market in essential sectors 3). Regularization of undocumented migrants, 4). Release of migrants and asylum seekers from detention centres.However, in the case that the continuation of immigration detention is opted, despite the pandemic and the risk of contagion, the following conditions of detention must be respected: a). Ensuring that migrants dispose of the same standards of health care (facilities, good and services) as is available for the nationals, b). Improving water, sanitation and hygiene in places of detention c). Guaranteeing regular access to information on covid-19, d). Making available adequate spaces for quarantine and self-isolation, e). Preserving family unity d). Adapting policies to protect children from violence and abuse, f). Ensuring migrants’ access to family visits, legal counsel and other support services, 4). Suspension of forced returns.

(source World Health Organization (WHO), Refugees and migrants in times of COVID-19: mapping trends of public health and migration policies and practices, Ed. Online WHO, 2021, pp. 11-21 available at:

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240028906, accessed 6/2/2022)

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Mr. Osama Salem, Migrant Outreach Assistant, International Organization for Migration, Germany

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Mr. Osama Salem, Migrant Outreach Assistant, International Organization for Migration, Germany

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The pandemic severely affected refugees, asylum seekers, displaced persons, and persons on the move. Many countries tightened their borders, created measures that confined some rights of persons of concern and in some cases suspended asylum registration. However, some of the best practices in the asylum process that were introduced by governments included, and were not limited to, conducting interviews via video, the usage of electronic means to receive asylum applications.

Durable solutions were affected. Voluntary repatriation. Local integration and resettlement.

Limited access to communities. Social media enabled refugees to maintain communications with communities.

Detention centres. In some cases, and to respond and prevent the pandemic, some States released persons who could not be removed to minimize numbers of persons in detention. There has also been an expansion into the use of alternatives to detention in some States.

Refugees and asylum seekers have been permitted to work in the health sector in their communities where they managed to make position contribution.

In the cases of SGBV, there have been more helplines and counselling that were set up and there was an increase in the number of shelters that were created. Remote GBV case management was also established.

School closures affected children because they were forcibly employed and faced more exploitation and violence against them. There have been more solutions to respond to this by building more digital literacy and infrastructure and have more open license resources.

Refugees and asylum seekers volunteered in many areas to prevent and respond to COVID-19. Some volunteered in collecting information and raised awareness for vaccines. Others who had a medical background volunteered in different medical areas such as training, vaccination, and provided medical consultations and information. Those were even able to provide information to infected populations in how to recover.

Refugees who had a profession in tailoring, hired many other refugees to be able to manufacture large amounts of mouth/nose masks which were given to communities, to frontline workers, to government workers who were conducting border screenings. Such initiatives didn’t only provide essential products, but also provided jobs to other refugees who were paid and learned new skills. Some initiatives produced masks and sent them to refugee camps (sometimes to different countries).

One initiative that I was involved in, was when a large diaspora organization mobilized various diaspora members who had knowledge in sewing, packing, logistics and communication to produce, pack and ship large numbers of masks from Germany to refugee camps in Greece.

Additionally, some diaspora groups who had some contacts with persons who had a medical background organized online webinar series to talk about myths of the pandemic, risks of the pandemic, how to avoid the virus, vaccinations awareness campaigns and vaccination benefits. This initiative also took place in Germany.

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Ms. Eskedar Bekele, Director of Refugees, IDPs, and Migrants' Rights, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, Ethiopia

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Ms. Eskedar Bekele, Director of Refugees, IDPs, and Migrants' Rights, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, Ethiopia

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In Ethiopia, there has been enhanced communication on personal and environmental hygiene, reducing overcrowding, promoting handwashing with soap. Supplies of water and soap continue to be provided, together with the installation of handwashing stations, enhancing health services and the provision of available personal protective equipment for health care workers, first responders and others.

Refugee representatives, refugee outreach volunteers (ROVs), women, youth and children’s committees and other community representatives have been trained and are actively engaged to ensure that basic preventative measures are observed in the communities. A total of 36,451 handwashing stations have been installed in communal centres and households in the different refugee camps to promote regular handwashing with soap. More capacity is however, needed to ensure that all refugee camps have such facilities in place and that every refugee household is equipped with a handwashing facility. The host communities living next to the refugee camps are included in the response.

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Mr. Nahom Ambaye, Judge, North Wollo High Court, Ethiopia

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Mr. Nahom Ambaye, Judge, North Wollo High Court, Ethiopia

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COVID-19 imposes limitations at three geographical levels. First, in their country of origin,  refugees may face a greater risk of human rights violations and persecution with heightened discrimination and ‘emergency’ pandemic measures enabling crackdowns on democracy. At the same time, restrictions on freedom of movement may make it impossible for people to leave in search of asylum – and being outside one’s country is essential to obtaining protection as a refugee.

Secondly, the pandemic imposes challenges at the borders. Border closures (in the form of total shutdowns, travel bans or travel restrictions) can impede refugees’ ability to travel abroad to apply for refugee status, or to be resettled. If refugees are turned around at a border, then the fundamental principle of non-refoulement (non-removal to a risk of persecution or other serious harm) may be violated. Even though States have the right to impose border control measures, there are legal exceptions for those seeking international protection.

Thirdly, in the country of asylum, refugees may face a number of challenges, including access to (adequate) refugee status determination procedures; documents; services (especially health care); livelihoods; and assistance/stimulus packages, and the fear of forced returns.

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Mr. Manfred Loic Yvan Ngom Biyick, Associate Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Congo, Democratic Republic of

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Mr. Manfred Loic Yvan Ngom Biyick, Associate Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Congo, Democratic Republic of

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During the year 2021, people under UNHCR mandate in DR-CONGO, were also vulnerable to the pandemic, and participated in the response against the spread of the virus, in particular prevention activities through:

1. The manufacture of non-medical masks on a large scale that serves thousands of people in need.

To achieve this, a sewing workshop called “Weave links with refugees”, made up of 13 refugees, including 8 women, was set up; this workshop produces masks and other seams. During 2021, these masks served not only host communities but also refugees and UNHCR staff and partners:

✓ For the community: the workshop produced more or less 500 masks which served people in need, including refugees applying for voluntary repatriation;

✓ For UNHCR and its partners: 650 masks with flocked embroidered logo were produced and delivered (600 for UNHCR and 50 for AIDES)

2. Community mobilization by members of the Refugee Committee

The members of the refugee committee had established an awareness program under the "door-to-door" approach to convey the message on compliance with barrier measures and the importance of vaccination.

Results:

✓ 130 households of refugees and asylum seekers distributed in 7 districts of the city of Goma were affected by the awareness-raising actions carried out by the members of the new refugee committee.

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Ms. Mona Akawi, First Secretary, Migration, Embassy of Canada in Israel, Canada

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Ms. Mona Akawi, First Secretary, Migration, Embassy of Canada in Israel, Canada

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The lessons of COVID-19 have proven that the best way forward is by implementing the following practices:

- Non-discriminatory access to health services.

- Preparedness and flexibility in asylum processes and crisis response.

- Measures taken to address health risks must be necessary proportionate and reasonable.

- Measures must also consider age, gender, diversity, and disability.

- Consultations with refugees and asylum seekers is vital.

- Specific attention must be devoted to children’s needs.

- Other health risks, such as mental health, must be addressed.

- Multi-lateral UN actors are invaluable in responding to cross-border crises.

- The 1951 Convention remains relevant and an important ongoing framework for refugee protection.

These are discussed in more detail with specific examples below:

At the onset of the pandemic, UNHCR issued guidance to states reinforcing that they have sovereign power to regulate non-nationals’ entry, but that any measures taken to regulate entry during the pandemic must not prevent non-nationals from seeking asylum and must respect the principal of non-refoulement (including refusal at borders). While some states used the pandemic as a reason to tighten border measures, UNHCR reinforced that, while states have the right to impose public health measures in the interests of their citizens, these measures must be non-discriminatory, necessary, proportionate, and reasonable to protect public health.

Technology adaptations in the COVID-19 era have allowed states to move their asylum processes online. While resettled refugees and asylum seekers may face challenges in terms of local integration due to the pandemic, more online resources and communications tools are becoming available to provide refugees with the resources they need in their host communities.

States are adopting flexible approaches to resettling refugees, including moving their asylum processes online, interviewing asylum seekers remotely, making use of complementary pathways for migration, and facilitative access to issuing documentation (e.g. “virtual” visas).

Resources to combat gender-based violence during the pandemic have increased in general, which has a positive influence on vulnerable women in refugee communities. Remote schooling for children is helping refugee children and their parents build digital literacy and provides them with open-license resources and greater access to educational technologies.

The response to COVID-19 has resulted in the non-discriminatory access to services and treatment as this reduces public health risk in the general population. Testing, healthcare, and other services are widely being made available for refugees. Opportunities to contribute to the health sector is also expanding to refugees who may have been trained in these fields in their home countries.

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Ms. Isabel Chabatebere, Community Services Officer, Department of Social Development, Zimbabwe

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Ms. Isabel Chabatebere, Community Services Officer, Department of Social Development, Zimbabwe

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Best Practises in Zimbabwe on Covid 19 Response

Tongogara Refugee Camp

Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe (TRC) has a total population 14894 refugees and asylum seekers as of 31 December 2021 of which 74% are from Democratic Republic of Congo, 11% from Mozambique, 6% from Burundi whilst Rwanda constitutes around 5.2% and the other smaller communities share the little remainder from Eritrea and Sierra Leon, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Mali, Mozambique and Sudan among others. With this population, the camp has not been spared from COVID 19. However, in response to COVID 19, the Government, UNHCR, partners and POCs  have collaboratively initiated a plethora of response mechanisms to curb the spread of the virus.

Some of the initiatives include:

Creation of a quarantine centre to accommodate all new arrivals and allows for testing before being released into mainstream camp

30 bed isolation centre to accommodate all infected cases

Rapid PCR testing mechanisms through the camp local clinic

Training of community health workers to respond to the pandemic

Engagement of behaviour change cadres

Awareness raising for community members

Distributed PPE (face masks, sanitizers, hand washing stations)

Established mobile vaccination campaigns

Information dissemination in a child friendly and age-appropriate manner

Hand washing points in different points in the camp

Making of masks by POCs

Partners and POCs have also worked tirelessly in the camp to promote peaceful co-existence with the host community and most of the services and programmes are extended to the host community.

Selected Refugee Community leaders and other community cadres are at the fore front and mostly spearhead the programmes with support from Government and partners. Information dissemination and mobilisations are done by the refugees. Strengthening of community structures like the Child Protection Committees was also done as well as the creation of child friendly help desks at distribution points to avoid exposure of children to the pandemic.