Reports

DTM initiated a bi-weekly assessment component as part of its mobility tracking activities aimed at understanding the impact of Covid-19 related mobility restrictions and curfews on vulnerable mobile populations in Libya. The primary focus of this assessment is not epidemiology or health, but understanding the impact of mobility restrictions on vulnerable populations for whom mobility is critical, such as migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs). This report presents the findings of the first bi-weekly DTM assessment conducted in the last two weeks of April 2020, covering 39 municipalities (baladiya) of Libya with significant IDP and migrant populations.

As part of IOM’s Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness activities, DTM operates Flow Monitoring Points (FMPs) on the borders with Uganda (UGA), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR). In total, 21 EVD-dedicated FMPs were active in February, with Owiny Ki Bul (Magwi County), Kaya (Morobo), Kerwa and Pure (Kajo-Keji) replacing FMPs previously operated in Uganda. This dashboard highlights key entry routes to South Sudan (SSD) and presents the demographic profile of people surveyed on arrival from the three neighbouring countries at risk of EVD transmission. Participation in the survey is voluntary and the data collected is only indicative of actual flows.

As part of IOM’s Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) preparedness activities, DTM operates Flow Monitoring Points (FMPs) on the borders with Uganda (UGA), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR). In total, 21 EVD-dedicated FMPs were active in March, of which six were deactivated at the end of the month following de-prioritisation. This dashboard highlights key entry routes to South Sudan (SSD) and presents the demographic profile of people surveyed on arrival from the three neighbouring countries at risk of EVD transmission. Participation in the survey is voluntary and the data collected is only indicative of actual flows.

On 6 May 2020, IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) conducted a field assessment mission to Mapel village in Kuajiena Payam to obtain information about recent displacement caused by clashes between  farming and cattle keeping communities from neighboring Tonj South and Tonj East counties. The team met with key informants who confirmed the arrival of 4,000 IDPs (666 households) from Mapel Junction, Tindil, Bobi, Abudugo and Magila villages in the wider Mapel area between April and early May 2020. IDPs had found refuge among the host community in Mapel and were aided by the local authorities. According to their testimonies, properties and houses in Bobi village were seriously damaged during the clashes. Most urgent needs identified during the assessment were food, shelter, non-food items (NFI), health and sanitation.Another field assessment was conducted in Hai Masna collective center in Wau South following reports on new IDP arrivals from Kuajiena Payam that wre also triggered by clashes between local farmers and cattle keeping communities of Tonj South and Tonj North. According to gathered information, a total of 836 individuals (292 households) from Akuoyo, Maranya, Akou and Mapel Junction arrived at Hai Masna between April and early May 2020. The most urgent needs of IDPs were food and non-food items (NFI).

During the period of 4 - 10 May 2020, a total of 1,036 movements were recorded, composed of 787 arrivals and 388 departures. Arrivals were recorded at locations in Askira/Uba, Gwoza, Mobbar, Ngala Bama and Damboa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State. Arrivals were also recorded in Demsa, Madagali, Maiha, Gombi, Hong, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Numan, Song, Yola North and Yola South LGAs of Adamawa State.   Departures were recorded in Askira/Uba LGA of Borno State; Fufore, Gombi, Hong, Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South, Numan, Song,  and Yola South LGAs of Adamawa State also recorded departures.    ETT assessments identified the following movement triggers:  poor living condition (37.2%), improved security (31.8%), voluntary relocation (30.5%) and fear of attack (0.6%).

La pandémie du COVID-19 a commencé à toucher le Tchad à la mi-mars 2020, avec le premier cas positif identifié le 19 mars 2020. À la date du 16 mai 2020, 503 cas de COVID-19 ont été confirmés au Tchad. Outre les conséquences potentiellement graves de l’épidémie sur la santé publique, le COVID-19 a considérablement affecté la mobilité vers, depuis et à l’intérieur du pays. Depuis le début du mois de mars 2020, des restrictions concernant la mobilité des personnes – notamment la fermeture de toutes les frontières aériennes et terrestres et des limitations de mouvement strictes à l’intérieur du pays – ont conduit à une diminution des flux migratoires observés au Nord. Par ailleurs, des milliers de personnes se retrouvent bloquées à des points d’entrée clés ou au sein du pays. En outre, des déplacements causés par des attaques armées et des catastrophes naturelles continuent d'être observés. Ce rapport vise à présenter les tendances et chiffres clés liés à la mobilité des personnes au Tchad au cours du mois d'avril 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic started affecting Chad mid-March 2020, with the first confirmed case identified on 19 March 2020. As of 16 May 2020, 503 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Chad. In addition to the potentiality severe consequences on public health of the epidemic, the COVID-19 crisis has also significantly affected mobility to, from and internal to the country. Since early March 2020, mobility and travel restrictions – notably the closure of all air and land borders and strict internal movement limitations – have resulted in a decrease in migration flows observed in the north, as well as thousands of individuals stranded at key Points of Entry (PoEs) or in the country.  In addition, displacement caused by armed attacks and natural disasters continues to be observed. This report aims to present all the key trends and figures related to mobility in Chad during the month of April 2020.

A total of 176 movements were observed at 22 points of entry in the conflict-affected North Eastern Nigerian States of Adamawa and Borno between 29th April and 7th May 2020. Of the total movements recorded, 117 were within Nigeria (interstate and intrastate), 38 were incoming from neighbouring countries (Cameroon and Chad), while 21 were outgoing movements from Nigeria to Cameroon. Various travelers’ data was collected during the assessment to better inform on migrants’ gender, nationalities, reasons for moving, and mode of transportation, as shown in figures 1 to 4 below.

Since the beginning of COVID-19 imposed restrictive measures in April 2020, an estimated 3,553 migrants from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, and Democratic Republic of Congo returned to Zimbabwe through the ports of entries. IOM South Africa in coordination with IOM Zimbabwe is currently providing technical assistance to the Zimbabwean Embassy to facilitate return of 400 out of the approximately 4,500 stranded and vulnerable migrants in South Africa, who are scheduled to return to Zimbabwe on Friday 15th May 2020. This support includes coordination of pre-departure arrangements; conducting pre-embarkation medical check; distribution of COVID-19 related information and organization of travel arrangements.

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.

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.

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.