Displaced people and host communities all over the world are at heightened risk as the pandemic spreads.
Here are some of the ways they – along with UNHCR staff and supporters – are taking action to stay smart, stay safe and stay kind.
Check back here for updates:
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
At the world’s largest refugee settlement, in Bangladesh, UNHCR is giving health tips and distributing soap to curb the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak among Rohingya refugees.
Handwashing with clean water & soap for at least 20 seconds is the most effective way to fight #coronavirus
In Cox’s Bazar, mass soap distributions are underway, combined with awareness raising, in efforts to reduce the risk of an outbreak in the refugee camps#HandHygiene pic.twitter.com/UhSYIVAqO5
— UNHCR in Bangladesh (@UNHCR_BGD) March 24, 2020
Canada
Payback time for writer Robin Stevenson, who four years ago sponsored a refugee family to resettle to Canada. Now self-isolating after travel, that family brought a care package to her door.
Back in 2016 we sponsored a refugee family to come to Canada. Today, knowing that we’re self-isolating because of travel, they brought bags of food to my front porch. Beans, dates, noodles, lentils, tahini, veggies, meat, and candy for my kid. So kind… and I’m so grateful♥️😭🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/BksTcxl62y
— Robin Stevenson (@robin_stevenson) March 24, 2020
Warsaw, Poland
UNHCR’s representative in Poland is highlighting a refugee initiative in the port city of Gdansk to sew protective masks – vital kit in short supply as health-care systems strain to treat soaring numbers of COVID-19 patients.
This is material used by a group of foreign women, including #refugees, to saw protective masks against COVID-19 in Gdansk. https://t.co/pbgYm2InIE
— Christine Goyer (@GoyerChristine) March 23, 2020
Frankfurt, Germany
A UNHCR airlift flew 4.4 tonnes of much needed medical equipment including masks, gloves and essential medicines to support the COVID-19 response in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The country hosts close to one million Afghan refugees and faces critical shortages within its health-care system.
UNHCR’s airlift with vital medical aid lands in Iran https://t.co/nGcchtdtTG pic.twitter.com/BNtfzle7WI
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) March 24, 2020
Geneva, Switzerland
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Fillippo Grandi highlights steps taken to curb the COVID-19 outbreak around the world.
From Bangladesh to Chile, from the Sahel to the Middle East, from Africa to Europe, UNHCR and its partners are helping governments step up preventive and preparatory measures for possible outbreaks of #COVID19 affecting refugees, displaced people and host communities. pic.twitter.com/0L71zlzsiK
— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) March 22, 2020
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