Situation Report on International Migration 2021
Building forward better for migrants and refugees in the Arab region
1. OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT TRENDS IN THE ARAB REGION
2. POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN MIGRATION, ASYLUM AND STATELESSNESS GOVERNANCE IN THE ARAB REGION
3. BUILDING FORWARD BETTER FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES IN THE ARAB REGION:
COVID-19 CONSEQUENCES
Annexes
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Policy Brief
Foreword
Over the past two years, discussions among
decision makers, experts, policymakers,
the media and the public have been
dominated by the COVID-19 crisis that
has severely impacted people across
the world. Migrants, refugees and other
forcibly displaced individuals were hit
particularly hard, in terms of their livelihood
opportunities, mobility and health. Two
years after the outbreak of COVID-19, there
is mounting evidence that the pandemic’s
disproportionate effect on migrants and
refugees is closely linked to pre-existing
structural barriers and vulnerabilities.
These findings are particularly relevant in
the Arab region, which continues to be a
prominent region of international migration
and forced displacement. In 2020, Arab
countries hosted around 41.4 million migrants
and refugees, representing almost 15 per
cent of international migrants and refugees
worldwide. Although migrant workers make
up the largest group, nearly 9.3 million
refugees have also sought protection in the
region, including 3.6 million refugees under
the UNHCR mandate and 5.7 million Palestine
refugees registered with UNRWA. At the same
time, migration and forced displacement from
Arab countries has continued to increase,
reaching an estimated 32.8 million people in
2020, 44 per cent of whom stayed within the
region. Refugees are a prominent group, with
a staggering 43 per cent of all refugees under
the UNHCR mandate (8.9 million people out of
a global total of 20.7 million) originating from
Arab countries.
Dr. Rola Dashti
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
António Vitorino
Director General, International Organization for Migration
Introduction
The significant volume and complexity of migration in the Arab region, and the often protracted forced-displacement dynamics, underline the importance of policies, measures and response frameworks that reduce the vulnerabilities of migrants and refugees and that build an environment which mitigates inherent challenges and harnesses benefits. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 laid bare the extreme vulnerability of migrants and refugees to economic and public health crises, while underscoring the essential role they play in societies and communities in their countries of origin and destination.
The pandemic has reinforced the fact that countries need to accelerate their efforts to protect the human and labour rights of migrants and refugees, and to empower them as contributors to development. These efforts should be guided by the roadmaps provided in global frameworks, namely the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and the Global Compact on Refugees.
The present report focuses on the plight of migrants and refugees in the COVID-19 crisis. It delves into how pre-existing structural barriers and historical challenges exacerbate their vulnerabilities. It presents actionable recommendations to policymakers and practitioners on protecting and empowering migrants and refugees and strengthening their resilience to adversities.
3. Building forward better for migrants and refugees in the Arab region:
COVID-19 consequences
In Chapter 3, the report illustrates how the COVID-19 crisis has magnified the adverse impacts of long-standing structural barriers on migrants and refugees and has exacerbated their vulnerabilities as a result of loss of income, increased food insecurity, difficulty accessing water and sanitation facilities, limited access to affordable health and education services, increased exploitation and gendered violence, mobility restrictions, heightened xenophobia, and limited connectivity and communication. Chapter 3 also reflects on the essential role migrants and refugees continued to play during the pandemic in their countries of origin and destination, particularly in countries that rely heavily on migrant workers. The report concludes with a set of actionable recommendations addressing selected policy areas of concern to guide the efforts of Arab Governments in building forward better for migrants and refugees in the region and enhancing their resilience during crises in line with international human rights and migration frameworks.
Information highlights
1
The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to acknowledge the vital role of migrants and refugees in the provision of essential services in their host communities but also magnified the negative impacts of pre-existing structural barriers on migrants and refugees.
2
Low-skilled migrant workers, those in irregular situations, women migrants and those living in humanitarian contexts are among the most vulnerable.
3
The challenges posed by the pandemic include, but are not limited to, economic hardship, food insecurity, health barriers, education challenges, gender consequences, mobility restrictions, and limited access to communication and connectivity.
4
The region witnessed increased returns of migrants owing to job losses, changing working modalities, and repatriation efforts by States.
5
Building forward better for migrants and refugees requires addressing structural barriers, including non-inclusive social protection and health-care systems, limited regular migration pathways, labour governance frameworks that fail to protect their rights, social exclusion and xenophobia.
(Habib, Syrian male, 50 years, working as a janitor in Lebanon, personal communication, May 2021).
My family and I thought that the conflict would last a few months. I worked as a driver picking up and dropping off passengers between here (Lebanon) and Syria. We were happy but the war destroyed everything, and we had to leave. The current economic difficulties in Lebanon that were worsened by the Beirut Port blast have impoverished me and my family
(Haroon, Indian male, 29 years, working in the construction sector in the GCC subregion, personal communication, December 2020).
I came from India looking for better opportunities in the region because we hear about the good pay and better work opportunities... but what I did not anticipate was that my sponsor would take away my passport and all of my documentation papers and would have control of my movements and travel arrangements...this makes it very hard and stressful to not be able to travel back home to visit my wife, kids and family. Most of the time I feel helpless and demoralized here
(Matias, a 24-year old male, Colombian expatriate working in the GCC subregion, May 2021).
I have been lucky during the pandemic. I am surrounded by a great support network that has helped me find a job and helped me when needed
(Diwa, female, 30 years, working as domestic worker in the GCC subregion, personal communication, March 2021).
Many of the domestic workers here experience aggression from family member and also sometimes from the kids we care for, but this kind of violence against us is rarely addressed or taken seriously. A lot of the workers I know are afraid to speak about these incidences
(Bisrat, an Eritrean migrant selling food products in Morocco, personal communication, March 2021).
Before I could make a little profit of 400 dirhams ($45) per month, now nothing. I have finished all my savings
Migrants and refugees have been among the population groups most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis also highlighted the distinct and critical contributions that migrants and refugees bring to their countries of origin and host societies. Addressing the barriers that migrants and refugees face and protecting them during crises is more important than ever.
