News Highlights: SAF withdraws from negotiations – US applies sanctions, Isaias visits Russia, Eritrean festivals cancelled in EU

In this week’s News Highlights: US imposes sanctions as SAF walks away from negotiations; Humanitarian situation in Sudan; Damage to healthcare facilities in Sudan; Destroyed infrastructure in Sudan; Youth Citizens Observers Network denounces violations in Sudan conflict; Sudan’s refugee situation; Roadmap for resolution of Sudan conflict adopted by AU; UNSC closed meeting on Sudan; Occupation of Western Tigray continues; Starvation and blackouts in Tigray continue; Ongoing humanitarian impact by unrest in Oromia and Amhara; Airline sued for excluding Tigrayans from services; President Isaias visits President Putin; 17 killed after al-Shabaab attack; Tunisian national guard arrests a smuggler and blocks crossing attempt; Eritrean PFDJ festivals cancelled in the Netherlands and Belgium; Proposal for EU reception quotas; Severe criticism of Frontex’s data reliability; The Commission aims at implementing EU’s visa-free travel regimes; EU neglects Afghan refugees, IRC says; NGOs accuse Malta of illegal pushback by proxy; Migrants and refugees stuck at the Poland-Belarus border; Germany to increase border controls; NGOs concerned over illegal pushbacks in Germany; Police officers arrested for smuggling in Greece; People rescued at sea off the Italian coast; French soldiers charged over migrant deaths; and British PM Sunak prioritises the fight against illegal migration.

News Highlights: DPM takes over in Ethiopia as escalation looms, Rights groups ask ICC to investigate Libya, Leaked EU document on arresting smugglers

In this week news highlights: First Humanitarian trucks arrive in Tigray since October; Ethiopia removes Irish diplomats and asks the US to stop spreading fake news; UAE airbridge to Ethiopia; Former NZ PM warns of potential genocide in Ethiopia; UN warns of new wave of displacement in Western Tigray; UN SG calls for immediate ceasefire; Ethiopian government bans reporting on war; Deputy Prime Minister takes over daily tasks in Ethiopia; Protests in Sudan Continue; Normalization between Sudan and Israel raises fear of deportation after coup; 780,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan; Severe drought forces thousands to relocate in Somalia; New law to facilitate refugee integration in Kenya; 75 individuals drowned in the Mediterranean Sea; Rights groups ask the ICC to investigate migrants abuses in Libya as potential crimes against humanity; Europe document detailing strategy for smuggler arrests revealed; More deaths in the English Channel; Four persons suspected of smuggling and torturing migrants in North Macadonia; Over 370 individuals rescued off Canary Islands; Migrants say they were tortured by Polish and Belarusian police; Stop Soros law criminalizing asylum seekers incompatible with EU law; NGOs accuse Greece of detaining migrants illegally; and Asylum seekers rights deteriorated due to COVID-19 lockdown measures.

Refugees and migrants to provide support in the medical and agricultural sectors amid COVID-19 labour shortages

As many European countries continue to struggle with the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, the Council of Europe and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) encourage member states to benefit from the support refugee and migrant health professionals can provide to national health systems at this critical juncture. In addition, the lack of agricultural workforce due to the closure of borders to seasonal workers remains a potential threat to the entire European food supply chain, according to the European Commission. As a solution, countries like Germany, Italy, UK, Belgium and Ireland are exploring the opportunities for granted working permits. This article gives a brief look into the different solutions and remaining challenges.