refugees in Africa

News Highlights: Hundreds feared dead in Greek boat disaster, Reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, Mass detention in Libya

In this week’s News Highlights: Peace efforts in Sudan stall and US considers other options; Reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, Sudan; Sexual Violence increases in Sudan; Violence and killings continue in Sudan; RSF takes control of Am Dafok; RSF uses drones for aerial attacks; Conflict Observatory Platform Sudan published; Lootings and closure of facilities; Displacement in Sudan reaches over 2 million; Sudanese refugees need a visa to enter Egypt; Tensions may rise between host and refugee communities in Chad; International actors speak out on events in Sudan; WFP and USAID suspending aid in all of Ethiopia; Tigray delegation travels to Amhara and meets foreign ambassadors; TDF and prisoners of war’s future still uncertain; Costs of war in Tigray; Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines leaves company; Eritrea rejoins the regional group IGAD; Civilians killed in al-Shabaab attack; Libyan coast guard intercepts boat in international waters; UN concerned about mass arbitrary detention in Libya; European Commission to invest €105m in Tunisian migration management; Hundreds feared dead in shipwreck off Greece; Western Balkans countries pledge to cooperate on migration management; Two people drown after being forced to swim to shore; Italian authorities detain Aurora rescue ship; FRA recommends independent review system for border management; and Number of forcibly displaced worldwide hits a record high.

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Medical vulnerability, travel history and lack of sanitation: refugees at risk of COVID-19

“Coronavirus will decimate refugee communities if we don’t act now,” a serious warning from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) that addresses the vulnerable situation of millions displaced people around the world. Secretary General of NRC, Jan Egeland, foresees a “catastrophe” with “devastating” consequence if the virus hits one of the overcrowded and sanitation lacking refugee or displacement sites. The same sentiment was echoed by the Head of Health for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Dr Esperanza Martinez, who said that the spread of the virus would be “impossible to manage” if it reached the displaced communities of Syria or Yemen. Health organizations have made a number of recommendations to protect against COVID-19, but unfortunately many refugees live in a situation in which they themselves as well as their host government cannot follow healthcare guidelines.

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