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COVID-19 Knowledge Briefs and Migration Digests

Knowledge Briefs on COVID-19 and Displacement

The Program on Forced Migration and Health, American University of Beirut, Brandeis University, Georgetown University, and Universidad de los Andes are members of a research consortium conducting a two-year project supported by the World Bank, UK Aid, and UNHCR that aims to provide evidence and guidance to strengthen health systems to address the needs of displaced and host populations in contexts of protracted displacement. As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded across the world, including in contexts of forced displacement, our research consortium has responded by producing a series of knowledge briefs examining the intersection of COVID-19, forced displacement, and health.

Preventing and Mitigating Indirect Health Impacts of COVID-19 on Displaced Populations in Humanitarian Settings

The first knowledge brief, Preventing and Mitigating Indirect Health Impacts of COVID-19 on Displaced Populations in Humanitarian Settings, focuses on identifying lessons learned and novel approaches to prevent and mitigate indirect health impacts of COVID-19 on displaced populations. 

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic, declared on March 11, 2020, presents unprecedented challenges for health systems around the world, particularly in humanitarian settings. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 134 refugee-hosting countries are reporting local transmission of COVID-19 (the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2) as of June 3, 2020. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which host more than 80% of the world’s refugees and nearly all internally displaced persons, health systems are often weak, overburdened by endemic health problems (including HIV, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, measles, malnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs)) and easily overwhelmed. Indirect health impacts, resulting from health system failures and the pandemic response, are frequently under-addressed, yet we know that the mortality, morbidity and suffering they produce often exceeds the direct effects of a pandemic. Displaced populations (primarily referring to refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons in this brief) are often disproportionately affected during a pandemic, by both the disease and indirect health effects. This knowledge brief highlights lessons learned from past epidemics, novel approaches, and helpful resources to prevent and mitigate indirect health impacts of COVID-19 on displaced populations.

Knowledge Brief 1: Preventing and Mitigating Indirect Health Impacts of COVID 19 on Displaced Populations in Humanitarian Settings(link is external and opens in a new window)

Family Violence Prevention in the Context of COVID-19 and Forced Displacement

The second knowledge brief, Family Violence Prevention in the Context of COVID-19 and Forced Displacement, focuses on identifying risk factors for family violence exacerbated by COVID-19. It also highlights ways to adapt violence prevention strategies during the pandemic to prevent and mitigate intimate partner violence and violence against children among displaced populations. 

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened pre-existing gender inequalities, harmful social sentiments and several other risk factors leading to an increase in family violence, including intimate partner violence (IPV) and violence against children (VAC). Displaced women, girls and boys already faced increased risk for family violence due to the disruption of social support networks and communities, changed gender norms and family dynamics, and limited privacy in overcrowded shelters, food and economic opportunity. Countermeasures for COVID-19 have exacerbated these risk factors and reduced access to existing preventive protection channels in displacement contexts. This knowledge brief explores violence prevention and response strategies for displaced communities in the context of COVID-19, when service providers are also constrained in their reach and ability to respond to family violence.

Knowledge Brief 2: Family Violence Prevention in the Context of COVID-19 and Forced Displacement (link is external and opens in a new window)

Addressing the Human Capital Dimension of the COVID-19 Response in Forced Displacement Settings

The third knowledge brief, Addressing the Human Capital Dimension of the COVID-19 Response in Forced Displacement Settings, explores human resource-related challenges and innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Abstract: Frontline health care workers (HCWs) bear the heaviest burden of the health system response to the COVID-19 pandemic. HCWs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at higher risk of COVID-19 related adverse health outcomes, including infection, burnout, depression, and death. As of June 2020, over 4960 HCWs were infected with COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, 2084 HCWs in South Africa alone. The challenges facing HCWs are compounded by a lack of personal protective equipment, stigma, and financial insecurity. In fragile and displacement settings, HCWs may experience violence, a high disease burden and limited resources and financial support. HCW shortages have limited the efficiency of the COVID-19 response globally, especially in LMICs. This brief will explore human resource-related challenges and innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic, including leveraging the refugee health workforce and protecting and supporting HCWs in resource-limited settings, based on emerging evidence and lessons learned from past epidemics.

Knowledge Brief 3: Addressing the Human Capital Dimension of the COVID-19 Response in Forced Displacement Settings(link is external and opens in a new window)

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia on utilization of medical services by Venezuelan migrants and Colombian citizens 

The fourth knowledge brief, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia on utilization of medical services by Venezuelan migrants and Colombian citizens, focuses on assessing and comparing rates of cases, deaths, and health services utilization of Colombians and Venezuelan migrants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
Abstract: Colombia hosts 1.8 million Venezuelan migrants, the second highest number of displaced persons in the world. Colombia’s constitution theoretically entitles all residents, including migrants, to basic medical care, but actual performance data are rare. The COVID-19 epidemic further challenged Colombia’s health system by staff absences, fear of exposure, and the need to manage COVID-19 on top of all pre-existing illnesses. This brief seeks to assess and compare rates of cases, deaths, and health services utilization of Colombians and Venezuelan migrants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined surveillance and health care utilization data (based on Registro Individual de Prestación de Servicios, RIPS) for 2019 and 2020 by nationality and municipality. Accessing these data across 60 municipalities, we analyzed relationships among rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths, hospitalizations, ambulatory visits, and contributory insurance enrollment.  

Knowledge Brief 4: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia on utilization of medical services by Venezuelan migrants and Colombian citizens(link is external and opens in a new window) 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Program on Forced Migration and Health produced regular digests of relevant news media regarding the intersection of COVID-19 and migration. An archive of past Digests is included below, organized by month. The Digests are part of PFMH's Action Hub on COVID-19 and Displacement.

Archived Digests

March 2020

April 2020
May 2020
June 2020
July 2020
August 2020
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020

December 2020
January 2021
February 2021
10 March 2021
2 April 2021