Reports

The DTM Emergency Event Tracking (EET) is deployed to track sudden displacement and population movements, and provide more frequent updates on the scale of displacement and quantify the affected population when needed. As a subcomponent of the new Mobility Tracking methodology in Sudan (Round Zero), and activated on a needs basis, EET utilises a broad network of key informants to capture best estimates of the affected population presence per location – a useful tool for humanitarian response planning and design.

DTM’s Rapid Displacement Tracking (RDT) tool collects and reports on numbers of households forced to flee on a daily basis, allowing for regular reporting of new displacements in terms of numbers, geography and needs. In the first five months of 2020, the conflict has resulted in new patterns of displacement, particularly in within Marib, Al Dhale'e, and Taizz governorates. Between 14 and 20 of June, newly displaced households were recorded in Marib (74 HH), Lahj (72 HH), and Abyan (67 HH). Most of these displacements were the result of COVID-19 in Aden (113 HH) and as a result of increased fighting in Marib (45 HH) and Al Dhale'e (39 HH) Methods used: - DTM’s Rapid Displacement Tracking (RDT) tool collects and reports on numbers of households forced to flee on a daily basis, allowing for regular reporting of new displacements in terms of numbers, geography and needs. Limitations: - DTM Yemen is unable to report on figures in some governorates due to access limitations. ​

The Ministry of Health (MoH) announced 188 new cases on 27 May 2020, 17 of which were imported with a total of 994 positive cases, 6 recoveries, and 10 deaths. According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). COVID-19 related movement restrictions' impacts on household income and food prices have contributed to driving Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse outcome in May 2020. South Sudan has recorded the first frontline health-care worker who died of COVID-19 on 29 May 2020, the undersecretary at the MoH has disclosed. According to Dr. Makur Koriom, four frontline workers contracted the novel coronavirus saying one of them succumbed to the virus. The country continues to experience difficulties in setting up sustainable facilities as cases of patients (repeatedly) escaping forced quarantine continue to be reported. As the number of cases rises, the newly appointed chairman of the South Sudan's reconstituted National Committee on COVID-19, Fifth Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi and Dr. James Wani Igga, Second Vice President, tested positive for COVID-19.  As cases of the virus are reported at larger displacement sites, humanitarian partners and UNMISS/UNPOL are downscaling/prioritizing programming and physical presence within the state.

As of 24 May 2020 the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Sudan stands at 655 of which 95 per cent were recorded in Juba. As per a presidential communication on 18 May 2020, a new National Taskforce Committee on Coronavirus Disease is to continue activities previously carried out by the High-Level Taskforce Committee on COVID-19.  According to the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) the relaxation of restrictive congregation and travel measures announced on 8 May 2020 have caused market and trade activities to rebound but that concerns for the "direct impact of COVID-19 on the food security of at-risk households" remain.   Efforts to prevent further spread of the virus remain by implementing policies such as forced quarantine and movement restrictions remained curtailed during this reporting period by limited resources as highlighted by the escape of 24 persons who were to remain in quarantine in Kapoeta South County due to insufficient food supplies.  

This situation report reflects the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on IDPs from 11 June 2020—18 June 2020.  People affected by humanitarian crises, particularly those displaced and living in communal settings, are often faced with challenges including vulnerabilities distinct from those of the general population. These vulnerabilities are further heightened by the disparate health and socio-economic impacts of COVID-19. As recently reported by IDMC, global figures of internally displaced persons (IDPs) reached an all-time high at the end of 2019. Conflict and disasters have triggered 33.4 million new internal displacements across 145 countries and territories in 2019. In particular, the number of new disaster related IDPs have increased to 24.9 million in 2019 (compared to 17.2 million in 2018). This is the highest figure recorded since 2012 and three times the number of new displacements caused by conflict and violence. The movement restrictions and measures being imposed by countries, territories and areas as a response to the pandemic are directly impacting the daily lives and circumstances of IDPs and host communities. Livelihoods are being interrupted and access to healthcare, where it is available, remains limited. Many communities hosting internally displaced populations lack adequate investment into health, water and sanitation facilities, in addition to the issues of overcrowding, poor shelter, scarce resources and limited access to reliable information. The impact felt by these communities not only increases humanitarian need but also exasperates the existing and already complex barriers for IDPs to seek solutions.

Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall in Zimbabwe on 15 March 2019 and the country experienced floods and sustained heavy rains which left a trail of destruction including shelter, lives and livelihoods mostly in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. From 24 to 30 April 2020, IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) team in coordination with the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) conducted Return Assessments in 64 villages across Buhera, Chimanimani and Chipinge Districts of Manicaland province. The following report is an analysis of the current situation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the affected villages. The survey gathered information regarding shelter arrangements, livelihood conditions and ways of promoting the safe, dignified and sustainable return and reintegration of those who had been displaced by the cyclone. This report provides an overview of the key results and highlight elements of the data that should be considered for subsequent programming and intervention.

  The current outbreak of COVID-19 has affected global mobility in the form of various travel disruptions and restrictions. To better understand how COVID-19 affects global mobility, IOM has developed a global mobility database to map and gather data on the locations, status and different restrictions at Ports of Entry (PoEs), globally (see migration.iom.int). In the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) region, IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) teams in nine of the ten countries covered by IOM Nairobi Regional Office are actively collecting information on various PoEs, internal transit locations, as well as other areas of interest in an effort to better understand the extent of these restrictions, as well as the impact on different types of population groups. This report is developed as a close collaboration between IOM's division and units, in particular: DTM, Migration Health Division (MHD), Immigration and Border Management (IBM), and Migration and Protection (MPA). Data is collected about the following locations: • Airports (currently or recently functioning airport with a designated International Air Transport Association -IATA- code) • Blue Border Crossing Points (international border crossing point on sea, river or lake) • Land Border Crossing Points (international border crossing point on land) • Internal Transit Points (internal transit point inside a given country, territory or area) • Areas of interest (region, town, city or sub-administrative unit in a given country, territory or area with specific restrictions) • Sites with a population of interest particularly affected by or at risk of COVID-19 (stranded, repatriated and returning migrants, IDPs, nationals, asylum-seekers and regular travellers)

With the onset of the rainy season in Nigeria’s conflict-affected northeastern State of Borno, varying degrees of damages are expected to infrastructures (self-made and constructed) in camps and camp-like settings. This is so because the rains are more often than not accompanied by very high winds and have been known to cause serious damage to properties.   On 18 June 2020, IOM’s DTM program carried out an assessment to ascertain the level of damage sustained in camps and camp-like settings due to heavy windstorm and rainfall on the 17th of June 2020. Overall, 10 camps were affected in Maiduguri, Jere, Damboa and konduga LGAs. The worst-hit of the camps assessed was the 400 Housing Estate (Gubio Camp) in Konduga where a heavy rainfall left 15 makeshift shelters damaged, 15 damaged toilets and an estimated 182 individuals without shelter.   Other affected camps are: Low cost Camp in Damboa LGA; NYSC Camp, Teacher’s Village Camp, Yajiwa Camp, Goni Kyarimi Camp in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC); Faria Gidan Block Camp, Wakshama Camp, Al-Yakub Camp managed by Norwegian Refugee Council in Jere LGA and 250 Housing Estate (Dalori II) in Konduga LGA.   There is a major need of shelter, shelter repair kits, construction and sanitation materials as a preparedness measure in all camps, provision of basic NFI as well as reconstruction of damaged toilets and shower areas. No casualty was reported.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Sudan (GoS) declared a nationwide health emergency and introduced mitigation measures in March 2020 to reduce the transmission of the virus. These measures include restrictions on travel due to closure of airports, points of entry (POE) along land borders and maritime boundaries, as well as domestic movement restrictions. 

When Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall in Zimbabwe on 15 March 2019, the country experienced floods and sustained heavy rains. On 27 April 2020 IOM DTM, in close coordination with the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) and its partners, conducted remote DTM Multi-Sectoral Location Assessments in four displacement sites namely Arboretum, Garikai, Kopa and Nyamatanda in Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province for the purpose of tracking mobility of the displaced population in camps, assessing their living conditions, needs and gaps for intervention.

A total of 1,878 movements were recorded, comprising 1,473 arrivals and 405 departures, between 8 and 14 June 2020. Arrivals were recorded at locations in Askira/Uba, Bama, Gwoza, Jere, Mobbar, Monguno and Ngala Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the most-affected Nigerian State of Borno. Arrivals were also recorded in Demsa, Gombi, Hong, Lamurde, Madagali, Maiha, Michika,  Mubi North, Numan, Song, Yola North and  Yola South LGAs of the state of Adamawa. Departures were recorded in Askira/Uba and Hawul LGAs of Borno; Gombi, Lamurde, Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Numan, Song and Yola South LGAs of Adamawa.   ETT assessments identified the following movement triggers:  voluntary relocation (41.5%), fear of attack (24.3%) poor living conditions (15.3%), improved security (9.9%), conflict/attack (5.5%), military operations (3.0%) and fear of covid-19 (0.5%).

Since DTM’s last update on displacement from Tarhuna and Sirt on 10 June, an additional 760 displaced families (approximately 3,800 individuals) were identified, bringing the total of internally displaced persons to at least 5,550 families (approximately 27,750 individuals) who have been forced to leave their homes since 04 June. According to field observers, the security situation in Sirt and near-by locations remains tense.