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.

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

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

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.

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 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 and partner organizations have further intensified their COVID-19 response in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, following the first confirmed case of coronavirus among the refugee population.

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]

Echoing the UN-wide call for action on 13 May, UNHCR continues to appeal for urgent support to ensure the availability and continuation of mental health and psychosocial services for refugees and those displaced. These services must be considered “essential” services and form part of national responses to COVID-19. [Source: UNHCR Global COVID-19 Situation Report]

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