Protection of vulnerable migrants during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis

Overcoming the current global health crisis requires migrants and other people on the move to be included in the overall COVID-19 responses, with a special attention to those populations that are marginalized or in situations of vulnerability and exploitation. The direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic appear to be exacerbated for migrants, especially for women, young girls and children, and further amplified in contexts of fragility, conflict and emergencies1. Migrant children may find themselves in a situation of double vulnerability during the pandemic, as children and migrants. The situation of vulnerability is further exacerbated in the case of migrant children who are unaccompanied and/or separated from their parents and relatives and thus lack protection.2 Previous sessions of the International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) have highlighted the need to protect and empower vulnerable migrant populations, particularly women, children and victims of trafficking and smuggling, and highlighted the disadvantages and multiple forms of marginalization that these categories of migrants may face, calling for specific actions to ensure their protection. Gender differences need to be factored into emergency responses. A discussion on this topic will also give due emphasis to the situation of stranded migrants around the world and displaced persons in need of assistance who are in often precarious situations. The impact of the pandemic has demonstrated that no one can be safe until we are all safe. Only through an inclusive approach – truly leaving no-one behind – can the safety and well-being of all be achieved.

Moderator: Yitna Getachew, Head, Migrant Protection and Assistance, IOM Speakers:

  • Sarah Arriola, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, the Philippines
  • Jean Ayoub, CEO and Secretary General, International Social Service - General Secretariat
  • Nick Grono, CEO Freedom Fund, UK
  • André Silva, Coordinator Migrant Smuggling Unit, INTERPOL
  • Isabela Atanasiu, Legal Officer, DG Migration and Home Affairs, Asylum, European Commission
  • Trang Hong Vu, United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth, Co-founder of STEPFORWARD education, Vietnam
Date Publish: 
10/16/20