Impact of COVID-19 on Migrants and Refugees in the Arab Region - Technical Paper

This paper focuses on the impact of the pandemic on specific groups, namely women, children and refugees.

This technical paper was prepared by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), with inputs from the members of the United Nations Issue-Based Coalition on Migration in the Arab Region.

It examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants and refugees. It focuses on several relevant areas including health, income security, the economy and education. It also addresses return and voluntary repatriation, and trafficking in persons during the pandemic. The paper focuses on the impact of the pandemic on specific groups, namely women, children and refugees. It concludes with a set of actionable short- and medium- term policy recommendations that could guide countries’ responses.