Reports

On 24 April 2020, DTM conducted a field visit to Jezira site in Yei County to verify information about the recent displacement linked to armed clashes and tensions between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the National Salvation Front (NAS) in Mukaya Payam, Lainya County. During the visit, team confirmed displacement of some 6,021 individuals (1,261 households) from Lorega in Lainya County who arrived in Jezira displacement site in Yei River County. Nearly two thirds of IDPs were female (64%) of whom 30 per cent were under 18 years old. During the assessment, the team identified that IDPs are in an urgent need of food, shelter, and sanitation. ​

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) conducted an Emergency Event Tracking through interviews with key informants and direct observations in order to gather information on locations of displacement, key needs, and demographic profiles of displaced households affected by clashes between cattle-keeping communities and youth groups across Mayom, Rubkona, Guit, and Mayendit counties. Interviews from key informants have collectively confirmed the arrival of 6,363 IDPs (1,008 households) now displaced across 12 locations in the three counties. assessed between 12 and 19 May 2020. 

As of 17 May 2020, the High-Level Task Force (HLTF) on COVID-19 has confirmed 347 cases of the virus in South Sudan. The first death was recorded on 14 May, rising to six by the end of the reporting period. On 17 May 2020, South Sudan’s first vice president and chairman of the HLTF, Dr. Riak Machar Teny Dhurgon, and the Defense minister, Angelina Jany Teny were announced to have tested positive for COVID-19 as well as seven other HLTF members. As of 13 May 2020, a presidential statement indicated that another lockdown is not excluded amidst the rise of cases across the country. This news came after some COVID-19 related restrictions such as internal and international flights were eased as announced on 7 May 2020. 

La crise humanitaire qui affecte le Mali depuis 2012 a généré des déplacements massifs de populations, tant à l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur du pays, avec d’importantes répercussions sur les pays voisins, notamment le Burkina Faso, le Niger et la Mauritanie. Depuis 2018, un nouveau cycle de violence a aggravé la situation et provoque des déplacements forcés.  Chaque jour, de nouvelles personnes déplacées internes (PDI) continuent d’être enregistrés. Ces mouvements ont un impact considérable sur les personnes forcées de fuir leurs foyers et sur les communautés qui les accueillent. Afin de répondre aux besoins des populations déplacées internes, rapatriées et retournées, la Commission Mouvement de Populations (CMP) recueille et analyse les informations sur les mouvements de populations à l’intérieur du Mali, afin de fournir un état complet des mouvements de populations et à la demande de ses partenaires. Les membres de la Commission sont : la Direction Générale de la Protection Civile (Ministère de la sécurité intérieur), UNHCR, OCHA, PAM, UNICEF, ACTED, NRC, DRC, HI, Solidarités International, CRS, OIM, et DNDS. Plusieurs autres entités participent régulièrement aux rencontres de la Commission.

In light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand, Thai and non-Thai populations face a new set of challenges and vulnerabilities. However, the extent to which these challenges and vulnerabilities are affecting local communities in key border provinces is unknown. It is also unclear whether these communities are receiving sufficient information about COVID-19 or have access to the resources which will allow them to maintain the hygiene and sanitation standards required for effective protection. To fill this data gap and inform possible responses, IOM initiated a village-level data collection exercise in key border provinces to collect information on: 1) presence of non-Thai nationals, 2) vulnerabilities to COVID-19, 3) impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods, food, and access to services, and 4) awareness and knowledge levels on COVID-19.  Between 11 and 22 April 2020, 16 IOM staff (50% female) conducted phone surveys with a total of 408 key informants (KIs) located in Tak province and Ranong province. Information was collected at the village level in Mae sot district, Mueang Ranong district and Suk Samran district. This report focuses on the results for Mae Sot district, in Tak province, Thailand, where a total of 241 KIs were interviewed across 1 municipality, 9 sub-districts, 85 villages and 18 communities. Highlights: The main barriers to proper sanitation and hygiene in Mae Sot district are the lack of access to personal protective equipment (PPE), the high costs of PPE and the lack of knowledge on sanitation and hygiene practices. The most affected services since the COVID-19 outbreak are livelihoods, water, electricity and transportation. The main challenges since the outbreak of COVID-19 are unemployment, insufficient income, debt and wage reduction. The main challenges for children since the outbreak of COVID-19 are limited or no access to education, insufficient food intake, and no social interaction with friends. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 50 and 75 per cent of the population has experienced a partial loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 25 and 50 per cent of the population has experienced a total loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, in 62 out of 103 villages and communities assessed, some families had to significantly reduce the amount of food they consume. There are some myths and misperceptions on COVID-19 in 33 out of 103 villages and communities assessed.  

As per the April 2020 population count, the population stands at 117,727 individuals (16,210 households) in 12,054 inhabited shelters (on average 10 individuals per shelter).

This situation report reflects the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on IDPs for the week of 21 May 2020—28 May 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.  

This Middle East and North Africa (MENA) report summarizes mobility restrictions at airports, land and blue border crossing points resulting from the mitigation measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 1,426 movements were recorded, composed of 1,077 arrivals and 349 departures, between 18 and 24 May 2020. Arrivals were recorded at locations in Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Mobbar, Ngala, Bama, Damboa and Monguno Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno. Arrivals were also recorded in Demsa, Madagali, Maiha, Gombi, Hong,  Mubi North, Mubi South, Numan, Song, Yola North, Yola South and Girei LGAs of Adamawa. Departures were recorded in Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Damboa, Dikwa and Kala Balge LGAs of Borno; Fufore, Gwoza, Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, Numan, Song, Yola North, Girei, and Lamurde LGAs of Adamawa also recorded departures.    ETT assessments identified the following movement triggers:  voluntary relocation (26%), poor living conditions (23%), military operations (15%), conflict/attcak (14%), improved security (14%) and fear of attack (8%).

The key finding of this report is that push and pull factors, as well as the challenges Afghan potential migrants face daily at personal, household and community levels, revolve around a lack of livelihood options and insecurity. The lack of livelihood options and insecurity are mutually reinforcing – years of prolonged conflict has led to a lack of overall economic development and vice versa. The division of potential migrants along categories of, on the one hand, those fleeing insecurity, persecution and violence, and on the other, those migrating for economic reasons, cannot easily be maintained – both for individual cases, as well as a categorisation for those looking to leave Afghanistan. These insights have been consistent with previous research undertaken by DTM and others on the topic, mostly notably the CFMS (IOM (d), 2019; IOM (e), 2019; EASO, 2016). More research is needed to analyse different and changing migration routes, motivations, capabilities, financing, networks, regulatory frameworks and the role of smuggling networks and diaspora groups on the determinants of Afghan migration to Europe, both in countries of origin, transit and destination and for different segments of Afghan migrants – which is beyond the scope of the current research. 

The key finding of this report is that motivations for Pakistani emigration revolve primarily around seeking better livelihood and income opportunities. This is reinforced by the historical relevance of labour migration out of Pakistan as well as previous data collection and analyses by IOM DTM. A secondary driver of migration for Pakistani migrants is the opportunity to continue or receive better quality education abroad. Finally, this report emphasizes the integral role of transnational social networks in influencing destination choice and migration decisions among Pakistani migrants. 

Dans le cadre de ses activités de prévention et de gestion des conflits, l’OIM met en œuvre un projet dans le département de la Grande Sido (province du Moyen-Chari). Une des composantes de ce projet est le suivi des mouvements de transhumance et la collecte des alertes liées aux conflits agro-pastoraux. Ce tableau de bord présente les résultats de collectes réalisées entre décembre 2019 et mars 2020. C’est pendant cette période qu’ont été effectués les mouvements de grande transhumance du Tchad vers la République Centrafricaine (RCA). Habituellement, ces mouvements s’effectuent un peu plus tôt dans l’année (ils commencent d’habitude en septembre). Cependant, pendant l’année 2019, la pluviométrie s’est étalée sur une plus longue période. Ainsi, les éleveurs sont restés plus longtemps dans les provinces du Tchad. Les données collectées indiquent que 90 pour cent du bétail observé se dirigeait vers la République Centrafricaine, alors que 10 pour cent en provenait. En effet, bien que le mouvement principal soit celui de la descente vers la République Centrafricaine, certains éleveurs traversent parfois la frontière pour aller vers le Tchad, afin de faire paître leur bétail, selon la disponibilité des eaux le long de la frontière.