ADDIS ABABA – Agency for Refugee and Returnees Affairs of Ethiopia (ARRA) announced that it has been working on preparedness, care and prevention on COVID-19 in collaboration with Ethiopian Government and UNHCR.
In a press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald, the agency stated that spray/disinfection/ and hard washing practice is conducted around health centers, residence and selected areas today in each coordination offices. This is really one step ahead to fight and prevent Corona pandemic.
As part of preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ARRA is in a process of designing refugee preparedness and response /ERPRP/ plan.
The plan focuses on 6 thematic areas /health, WASH, food, shelter, energy and education/. The technical team is closely working with the UN agencies /UNHCR and WFP/ teams to respond to the current pandemic in the refugee camps and surrounding host communities.
Meanwhile, UNHCR is already engaged in preventive measures to fight COVID-19, such as washing hands.
UNHCR’s report stated that all states must manage their borders in the context of this unique crisis as they see fit. But these measures should not result in closure of avenues to asylum, or of forcing people to people return to situations of danger.
UNHCR is also increasing awareness about COVID-19 in refugee camps and endorsing good practices with the available sources.
“To date and based on available evidence, there have been no reports of COVID-19 infections among refugees and asylum seekers. However, the virus can affect anyone and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the global response includes all people,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugee in an email conversation with The Ethiopian Herald.
He also said that UNHCR is committed to preventing and responding to this international health emergency. Adding to the point, their preparedness measures will protect refugees, displaced people and their host communities before, during and after this emergency.
Astrid Van Genderen Stort, UNHCR Head of Emergencies and Communications, PSP on his part said that, refugees often end up living in overcrowded areas with weak sanitation and health care systems. These children and families deserve protection from corona virus and treatment just as much as anybody else. We are using our emergency response expertise to protect the most vulnerable, he added
The Ethiopian Herald April 4/2020
BY HIZKEL HAILU
