As Borders are Reopening, what does it mean for Migrants?
Border closures, physical distancing, lockdowns, and subsequent restricted onward mobility of the COVID-19 pandemic has been heavily impacting the lives and wellbeing of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The restrictions have not only stopped the movement of people and goods, but also domestic and international remittances (1). Diaspora communities in the Global North, in addition to South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda are experiencing job losses, and the remittances that sustain 40% of Somalis are rapidly diminishing (1). Despite,...
Documentation, Documentation, Documentation!
When we consider people on the move and their interaction with government authorities or access to services one of the matters that is often raised is identification and/or enabling documentation and the absence thereof presents with a number of challenges. We regularly hear about documentation allowing for migration via regular channels or that a migrant migrated via irregular channels because they did not have the requisite documentation. The absence of documentation for migrants creates another layer of vulnerability...
What is happening in Cabo Delgadao, Mozambique?
For the past three years the population of Cabo Delgado has been faced with repeated terrorist attacks. A region rich with natural gas and other minerals, Cabo Delgado is located in the northeast of Mozambique, with a population of 2.3. million inhabitants (1). Following the first attack in October 2017, the impact on the population has been determinantal, from March 2019 to March 2020 the number of displaced people rose from 1,000 to 115,000 people (2)....
How the Migrant Youth are making a mark in Music and Art
Happy Youth Day! Youth Day in South Africa is on the 16th of June and commemorates the Soweto Uprising and pivot role of the youth. Youth and their contributions are celebrated and commemorated around the world with several Countries declaring a national youth day, along with the United Nations International Youth Day celebration on the 12th of August and the World Youth Day Celebration organised by the Catholic Church, celebrated by millions of people across the...
SIHMA supports call for states, donor, and other stakeholders to protect the rights of stateless persons in COVID-19 responses
As governments around the world are developing necessary plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 84 civil society actors have come together to urge states, donors & other stakeholders to protect and promote the rights of the stateless. Migrants, refugees, populations at risk of statelessness and the stateless themselves, are paying the highest price. Many are facing racism, xenophobia, denied access to critical health services and information on prevention and treatment. Additionally, many are fearful of...
The Severe Effect of COVID-19 on Jobs for Migrants and Refugees
Albeit a slower start compared to European countries, COVID-19 has rapidly shown the long-term impact on both health and socioeconomic sectors in African countries. Vulnerable populations, especially migrants and refugees have experienced multiple disadvantages because of the swift imposed lockdown. Many migrants across the continent work in the informal sector, often have family members who rely on remittances, and are not eligible for government aid1. The impact of decreased remittances is, and threatens to be, devastating, for instance...
