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Targeting COVID-19 interventions towards migrants in humanitarian settings

Millions of refugees and migrants reside in countries devastated by protracted conflicts with weakened health systems, and in countries where they are forced to live in substandard conditions in camps and compounds, and high-density slum settings. Although many such settings have yet to feel the full impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the pandemic is now having an unprecedented impact on mobility, in terms of border and migration management, as well as on the health, social, and economic situation of migrant populations globally.

Interim Guidance on Scaling-up COVID-19 Outbreak in Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings (jointly developed by IFRC, IOM, UNHCR and WHO)

This interim guidance addresses specific needs and considerations required in humanitarian situations, including camps and camp-like settings and the surrounding host communities, in scaling-up readiness and response operations for the COVID-19 outbreak through effective multi-sectoral partnership. This is intended for field coordinators, camp managers, and public health personnel, as well as national and local governments and the wider humanitarian community working in humanitarian situations.

Migration Health Research Bulletin, Issue No. 11

A book on Mozambique’s national HIV response in emergency settings is outlined. Two reports on the Study on Mapping and Size Estimation of Key Populations in Somalia and Somaliland are profiled. An article about the invisibility of some migrant and mobile population groups in pandemic influenza preparedness plans is presented. Conference abstracts presented during the World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race, and Health in May in Edinburgh are also included. 

Missing: Where Are the Migrants in Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plans?

Novel influenza viruses continue to emerge, posing zoonotic and potentially pandemic threats. Many countries have developed pandemic influenza preparedness plans (PIPPs) aimed at guiding actions and investments to respond to such outbreak events. In our analysis of PIPPs from 21 low to middle-income countries, we found only three that identified strategies for at least one migrant group.   
 

Introduction to basic counselling and communication skills: IOM training manual for migrant community leaders and community workers

This manual is a pandemic preparedness for migrants and host communities capacity development tool to strengthen basic counseling and communication skills. The manual is designed for use by humanitarian workers such as development and community health workers and leaders who engage with migrants and mobile populations.

“Don’t forget the migrants”: Exploring preparedness and response strategies to combat the potential spread of MERS-CoV virus through migrant workers in Sri Lanka

Abstract: From September 2012 to July 2013, 81 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including 45 deaths (a case fatality ratio of 55%) have been reported from eight countries. Human-to-human transmission is now confirmed showing potential for another pandemic of zoonotic disease, with an extremely high mortality rate. Effective surveillance strategies are required in countries with a high influx of migrants from the Middle East to mitigate the probable importation of MERS-CoV.

Is Sri Lanka prepared for yellow fever outbreaks? A case study

From Dec 5, 2015 to Oct 13, 2016, 4306 suspected cases of yellow fever were reported in Angola, with 369 deaths and an alarming case fatality ratio of 8·8%. Three countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and China, have reported imported cases from Angola. This is the first time yellow fever has been reported in Asia. Of the ten laboratory-confirmed yellow fever cases reported in China, six people reside in Fujian Province, an area where dengue transmission has occurred, raising concerns of autochthonous transmission.

Varicella (Chickenpox) outbreak in Bhutanese refugee camps in Eastern Nepal

Approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees live in seven camps in southeastern Nepal. For those offered resettlement to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, or Netherlands, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nepal conducts medical screening and arranges travel, moving up to 15,000 refugees annually. Varicella spreads primarily by airborne droplets and patients with infectious varicella are prohibited from the air travel. Varicella vaccine in Nepal is not licensed.