GLOBAL COVID-19 RESPONSE Update Report – 18th August 2020

Highlights Global Overview Approximately 2,3 Million people were reached between May This report covers the period from the launch of DRC’s global COVID-19 and July by DRC programmes that are appeal at the end of April to the end of July 2020. It is based on reporting aimed at addressing the needs of from 31 country offices where DRC implements COVID-19 specific responses. displaced people impacted by the

COVID-19 pandemic. In the reporting period DRC had available the equivalent of US$ 49.2 Million

to address the impact of COVID-19. This amount includes US$ 11.4 Million of 31 existing grants that donors have agreed to be re-programmed for COVID-19 DRC country operations specific action. New grants were received incrementally over the reporting currently report a COVID-19 specific period, with some activities having started earlier than others. A notable response. progress is visible in the report compared to the previous period - the total number of people reached a month after the last update has almost trebled. While responding to the additional needs arising from the pandemic, DRC 4 continues critical humanitarian activities in its operations; these are not out of the seven regions where DRC reported here. operates have come close to or exceeded half of their planned targets In this reporting period DRC, for its COVID-19 response, has across all for people reached. operations and all sectors reached an average of 36% of its target in terms of number of people reached. The ability to reach people impacted by COVID-19 differs between region, with the Middle East and the Latin America regions over 49 Million both already reaching over half of the initially estimated people in need. US$ is now available to DRC globally in new COVID-19 specific grants as well The report presents these results at the regional level and by sector. This as through re-programming of existing month, a more detailed snapshot is provided of the programme in South grants Sudan.

Global appeal reports are produced monthly and report the cumulative number of people reached by DRC programmes since the launch of the global appeal on 29th April 2020. The data is collected by avoiding double counting: If the same group of people is reached more than once in the reporting period, or reached by more than one type of assistance, they are only counted once.

Global situation update

Our analysis shows that the impact of COVID-19 is felt on all segments in society, but the impact is particularly strong on vulnerable people, in precarious rights environments and with limited abilities to cope with the challenging situation. As an example, evidence from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Niger, and Nigeria shows that refugee/IDP households are losing their employment opportunities, have fewer savings and are more at risk of eviction compared to host communities. Impact appears gendered; women to a larger extent than men feel increased levels of worry and anxiety while men appear more vulnerable to having decreased access to income as a result of COVID-19 compared to women.

The protection space remains severely affected. Several negative dynamics are severely limiting the protection space. Almost 2,000 events of protests, riots, violence against civilians and conflict related to COVID-19 have been recorded in countries where DRC operates, resulting so far in more than 430 fatalities. Restrictions have been imposed in a number of countries limiting freedom of movement, which in many places disrupts the ability to ensure protection of people of concern and further restricts their access to services and thereby their ability to access protection and meet basic needs. Xenophobia and discrimination against migrants and refugees appear to be increasing. Access to health services is also being limited and there is a growing concern of GBV, including an increase in domestic violence. Psychosocial needs are rising as households feel the impact on their general well-being.

The impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods is already visible, with access to income generation for people of concern severely decreasing. This in turn limits their ability to meet immediate basic needs, such as food and accommodation. In Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq survey data from March/April showed a drop in more than 50 percentage points of targeted households having a member in employment since the crisis erupted. Refugees and vulnerable groups appear to be particularly exposed to reduced employment and few have savings, access to sufficient food, and thus have to rely on negative coping mechanisms such as selling assets or reducing their food intake to meet their basic needs. With these developments, as well as the broader contextual developments, scenarios of COVID-19 impact suggest an increased risk of displacement in many of the displacement producing countries DRC works in. In the Sahel region, COVID-19 is increasing the risk of larger-scale displacement, but also in countries such as Ethiopia and Sudan.

Camps remain challenging. Constraints persist in the form of overcrowded facilities, lack of protective equipment and inadequate number of health staff. Various restrictions have furthermore made it difficult to provide necessary services such as education and psychosocial support, and the information and communication technology infrastructure is often not conducive for delivering assistance in alternative ways.

COVID-19 measures by governments, general uncertainty, misinformation, rumors, and anxiety are compounding these effects. Many countries have experienced restrictions on movement, and further marginalization of vulnerable groups is seen to increase in some contexts. Forced return and movement of people is reported in several countries, reduced access to asylum in some countries, as well as an increase in evictions or threats of evictions.

In Denmark, where DRC’s headquarters are based, the consequences of COVID-19 for people with a refugee or minority background are made worse by the fact that many are already in a marginalized situation. Without – or with insecure – employment, with effects of trauma and/or lack of sufficient Danish language proficiency, many risk further socio-economic challenges, while challenged by a lack of knowledge about the current state of affairs, anxiety, fear, isolation and re- traumatization. This not least affects children.

Financial Overview

Since the launch of DRC’s global appeal, a total equivalent of USD 49,162,4541 was received in specific contributions to our COVID-19 response. Table 1 provides an overview of funding by region against the targets of the appeal. Funding targets have been reached or exceeded for Europe, East Africa and Great Lakes, Asia, and the operations in Latin America.

Table 1 – Funding Targets, Actuals Appeal Re- Geography / Thematic New grants target programmed Total USD % funded area USD USD grants USD Mixed Migration Centre 450,000 51,849 0 51,849 12% Europe 6,200,000 6,117,805 1,136,222 7,254,027 117% Middle East 20,500,000 6,103,547 1,430,360 7,533,908 37% East Africa and Great 15,000,000 13,676,761 1,309,516 14,986,278 100% Lakes West Africa 20,280,000 1,149,675 1,149,675 2,299,349 11% North Africa 5,300,000 2,041,642 1,826,092 3,867,734 73% Asia 5,200,000 2,251,091 4,496,220 6,747,311 130% Latin America 1,900,000 2,148,394 0 2,148,394 113% Global Allocations - 4,184,836 88,767 4,273,603 Learning, Evaluation and 170,000 0 0 0 Aid Transparency (IATI) Total 75,000,000 37,725,602 11,436,851 49,162,454 66%

Challenges and Opportunities

Across all of DRC’s operations, country teams continue to be tested by the need for social distancing which makes key protection and distribution activities more challenging. Procurements were affected by the slow-down of global supply chains, and operations hindered by the inability to deploy new staff to field locations in countries with entry restrictions. Generally, suspension of domestic and international flights hindered access as well as disrupting vital data collection processes or implementation monitoring. These restrictions have to an extent eased over the last month, providing more opportunities for regular operations.

Country operations have mostly adjusted to the new way of working. This allows increasing implementation of COVID-19 specific activities, demonstrated in increased reach, as well as other critical activities for displaced populations. The pressure to implement more remote modalities has created learning and innovation, and the experience has equipped offices to better reach people of concern by alternative channels. The use of multipurpose cash has become a more widespread and effective modality of distributing resources to people impacted by the effects of COVID-19.

1 As per the August 18th Interbank exchange rate from DKK, DRC’s accounting currency. Many of our donors have also allowed us to re-programme existing grants for the COVID-19 response, the total figure includes the value of this re-programming.

Response Snapshots

Protection For DRC it is important that displacement-affected people impacted by COVID-19 have access to timely and relevant information on the pandemic and related protection risks. In South Sudan and Myanmar people were mobilized through community-based protection mechanisms. In Ethiopia about 154,000 people received information on COVID-19 and related protection risks (23% of them were children). Basic Needs Understanding that restrictions due to COVID-19 have affected what little opportunities refugees and migrants have for earning an income, DRC in many countries provides multi-purpose cash assistance. In Colombia, cash assistance has reached 12,000 people, in Jordan close to 20,000, with half of them women. In Bangladesh close to 72,000 people were reached with basic needs assistance. In Uganda, as many as 245,000 people received assistance that they confirmed fully satisfied their basic needs. Economic Recovery With DRC’s analysis pointing to the deterioration of livelihoods as a consequence of COVID-19 DRC assists displaced people and host communities with economic recovery support. In Tanzania 137,000 people were reached with Economic Recovery support, including 34,500 with financial inclusion assistance. Community Engagement / Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) Many DRC programmes are implemented in a conflict setting. Specific components aim at mitigating tensions, managing conflicts and safety issues specifically related to COVID-19 in these environments. In Bangladesh DRC’s response reached out to 50,000 people (56% male, 44% female). In Tanzania and South Sudan more than 20,000 people in each country participated in awareness raising activities. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Hygiene messages related to COVID-19 and the availability of clean water are an important component of DRC’s work, especially in camp settings. Singificant WASH activities are implemented in DRC country programmes in Sudan where 25,000 people were reached and Syria, where 55,000 people benefitted. Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements In camp settings DRC actively provides adequate risk information on COVID-19 to keep people safe. For example, in Myanmar close to 125,000 people in camps were reached with such information.

The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) COVID-19 Response MMC has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by changing the data it collects and the way it collects it. It has re- purposed its flagship primary data collection system, the Mixed Migration Monitoring Mechanism Initiative (4MI) to collect data on the impact of COVID-19 on refugees and migrants. Respondents are recruited through a number of remote or third-party mechanisms; sampling is through a mixture of purposive and snowball approaches. Surveys are administered by telephone, by the 4Mi monitors in West Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Asia and Latin America. As much as these findings are highly informative and often indicative of trends, they should not be used to make inferences about the total population of refugees and migrants, as the sample is not representative. The switch to remote recruitment and data collection results in additional potential bias and risks, which cannot be completely avoided. Further measures have been put in place to check and – to the extent possible – control for bias and to protect personal data. The analysis of the data on the impact of COVID- 19 on refugees and migrants can be accessed at http://www.mixedmigration.org/resource-type/covid-19/

Regional Overview Europe

In the Europe region, five countries have reported specific COVID-19 activities including Denmark, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Italy, Kosovo and Ukraine. More than 12,000 people received basic needs support across Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, reaching initial targets. Protection support and services have reported equally high figures, reaching people with differentiated and tailored protection assistance. Outlook for next month: The scale of the response for next month largely depends on the trajectory of COVID-19 incidence curve and currently infection rates are on the rise. At the same time, restrictions are still in place in all countries and access remains limited. In the medium term, country operations expect that the situation will remain largely stable while planning for a slight increase in needs.

Table 2 - Estimated needs and people reached: Europe incl. Denmark per sector (cumulative figures) Number of people Number of people Sector % reached planned actual (cumulative) Protection 45,000 10,538 23% Basic Needs 12,000 12,052 100% Economic Recovery 2,800 138 5% Community 16,200 Engagement/AVR 896 6% WASH 50,000 3,686 7% Total2 126,000 18,588 15%

Regional Overview East Africa Great Lakes In the East Africa and Great Lakes region, DRC implements COVID-19 specific responses in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, DR Congo, Burundi, and South Sudan reaching almost 1,5 Million people between May and July 2020. Across the region DRC addresses the needs of the displaced populations, including refugees (e.g. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) and IDPs living in camps (e.g. Somalia, South Sudan). DRC also supports host communities. Programmes include raising awareness on COVID-19 risks and prevention methods, sustaining adequate Camp Management and WASH assistance, and stepping up Protection services. The secondary effects of the crisis challenges the livelihoods and the ability of families to sustain themselves. DRC therefore responded with basic needs support and assistance to economic recovery, reaching over 250,000 and 150,000 people in these sectors, respectively. Target figures for three sectors have already been exceeded and total reach accounts for 40% of the needs identified in April 2020. Outlook for next month: Although the next month prognosis trends are largely unforeseeable or difficult to articulate, country operations do generally not expect the needs to grow significantly for now. Large groups living in camps have already been reached, with the exception of the provision of WASH services. Across the region the sector's COVID-19 response is expected to grow in Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan and Tanzania.

Table 3 - Estimated needs and people reached: East Africa and Great Lakes per sector (cumulative figures) Number of people Number of people Sector % reached planned Actual (cumulative) Protection 160,000 292,952 Target exceeded Basic Needs 60,000 271,735 Target exceeded Economic Recovery 30,000 153,285 Target exceeded Community 900,000 Engagement/AVR 498,462 55% WASH 2,250,000 189,523 8% Camp Management and 300,000 Shelter/Settlements 128,880 43% Total2 3,700,000 1,467,667 40%

2 The total number of people reached may be lower than the sum of people reached in each sector, as some people will have received support from more than one sector

Results highlights Spotlight on South Sudan

More than 75.000 people were reached in South Sudan DRC South Sudan between May and July 2020 has reached out to almost between May and July by DRC 75,000 people, including vulnerable groups such as elderly people, people programmes that are aimed at living with disabilities, lactating mothers, and unaccompanied children, addressing the needs of displaced women, and youth. The response included COVID-19 messaging and individual people impacted by the COVID-19 protection assistance. pandemic. Most of these, 70,000, live in camps and are also covered by the provision of camp management services. In camps, 64,500 people have received adequate risk education. Its effectiveness has been confirmed in on-going data 64,500 collection. received adequate risk information with 75% of able to recall that A rapid assessment took place in June in two states (Upper Nile and Unity) with information a focus on communicating with communities in relation to COVID-19 using lot

quality assurance sampling LQAS. Out of 95 respondents approximately 75% are aware of COVID-19 and know how dangerous it can be. A similar proportion 75% have received information on how to protect themselves, many of them of the respondents know prevention through radio, community drive or door-to-door visits. measures such as handwashing using soap or alcohol-based hand gel COVID-19 awareness assessments have been integrated with ongoing data collection across the country e.g. in Bentiu (Rubkona County). Here, 273 people were interviewed and 75% of them have good knowledge around COVID-19, 57% with half of respondents knowledgeable of how it spreads. 64% were able to of the respondents consider identify the droplet transmission route, while 53% understood the risk of direct themselves at risk of contracting contact with infected people and 41% that of contaminated surfaces. COVID-19 Communication with communities regarding COVID-19 will continue in all sectors, with most people expected to be reached by camp management work. over 1.2 Million It is expected that the armed violence reduction programmes will additionally US$ has been allocated to date for focus on COVID-19 messaging and rumour management in Juba and other COVID-19 specific response in grants locations. in South Sudan only.

Regional Overview Middle East

In the Middle East region, more than 135,000 people were reached between May and July in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, as a part of DRC's COVID-19 response. This equals to about 50% of the needs identified in the Global Appeal. Four sectors form a core part of the response: Close to 13,000 people were reached with protection services across the region, while basic needs support targeted particularly vulnerable groups. In Syria alone, 55,000 people were reached with improved WASH services. In Turkey, the focus is on access to relevant information on COVID-19 and associated risks, as well as economic recovery. DRC Turkey conducted five surveys to gather the feedback about the information awareness dissemination on COVID- 19, with 98% of respondents confirming that they find the information useful. Outlook for next month: A country-level prognosis under the circumstances is not possible. DRC Lebanon following the explosion in Beirut is under pressure to re-start operation and provide direct response to victims of the blast. Jordan is expected to increase total reach and basic needs support in its operation. Once legal constraints are removed, DRC Syria will likely scale- up.

Table 4 - Estimated needs and people reached: Middle East per sector (cumulative figures) Number of people Number of people Sector % reached planned actual (cumulative) Protection 14,000 12,899 92% Basic Needs 71,000 27,126 38% Economic Recovery 8,200 1,786 22% Community Engagement/AVR 1,200 0 0% WASH 160,000 57,712 36% Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements 600 0 0% Total3 255,000 135,695 53%

Regional Overview West and Central Africa In West and Central Africa, DRC implemented COVID-19 specific activities in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, working with IDPs, migrants, and host communities. Overall, programmes in the region have covered close to 49% of the population targets in relation to identified needs. DRC in Nigeria has assisted over 100,000 people with economic recovery support (food assistance and cash transfers). A protection response remains a priority for Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, but also across the region. Outlook for next month: The COVID-19 response is expected to scale up next month resulting in increase of number of people reached.

Table 5 - Estimated needs and people reached: West and Central Africa per sector (cumulative figures) Number of people Number of people Sector % reached planned actual (cumulative) Protection 143,500 101,057 70% Basic Needs 82,000 90,650 Target exceeded Economic Recovery 25,000 103,635 415% Community Engagement/AVR 6,500 3,157 49% WASH 380,000 82,994 22% Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements 28,000 0 0% Total3 665,000 326,510 49%

3 The total number of people reached may be lower than the sum of people reached in each sector, as some people will have received support from more than one sector

Regional Overview North Africa

In North Africa, where DRC works in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Sudan, the response to COVID-19 continued to focus primarily on protection and camp management and shelter/settlement. People reached in both sectors exceeded targets substantially due to needs in Sudan and in Libya. However, the overall scale of response in the region only amounts to 6% of the target as it continues to be hampered by security and access constraints. Outlook for next month: Prognosis for next month is only available for DRC Sudan and growth is expected across all sectors. Specifically, DRC Sudan will pursue COVID-19 hygiene campaigns, soap distributions and delivery of IEC materials by households in Central Darfur. The campaigns are expected to reach over 50,000 households. Food distributions will continue, meeting the basic needs of already vulnerable people.

Table 6 - Estimated needs and people reached: North Africa per sector (cumulative figures) Number of people Number of people Sector % reached planned actual (cumulative) Protection 6,000 20,142 Target exceeded4 Basic Needs 9,000 140 2% Economic Recovery 3,000 0 0% Community Engagement/AVR 409,000 409 1% WASH 400,000 24,714 6% Camp Management and Shelter/Settlements 1,000 21,297 Target exceeded Total5 828,000 46,681 6%

Regional Overview Asia

DRC’s COVID-19 response in the region covers three countries. In Afghanistan, DRC assists displaced populations (conflict and disaster affected IDPs), undocumented returnees and vulnerable host communities. In Bangladesh, DRC’s Site Management Support teams conduct assessments and emergency response for refugee populations living in camps. DRC in Myanmar targets vulnerable IDPs in both the camps and IDP sites and conflict affected people in Rakhine state. Cumulatively, the scale of the response reaches 32% of the planned targets and covers five sectors. Outlook for the next month: The outlook is uncertain; DRC Bangladesh expects to increase the scale of COVID-19 response next month with a focus on Economic Recovery. In Myanmar, an increase is expected for Protection, Basic Needs and Economic Recovery.

Table 6 - Estimated needs and people reached: Asia per sector (cumulative figures) Number of people Number of people Sector % reached planned actual (cumulative) Protection 47,500 28,366 60% Basic Needs 135,000 80,678 60% Economic Recovery 3,500 1,032 29% Community 314,000 Engagement/AVR 62,229 20% WASH 270,000 0 0% Camp Management and 160,000 Shelter/Settlements 124,767 78% Total5 930,000 296,724 32%

4 Significant increase is reported in Libya amounting to app. 17,000 people (increased more than threefold compared to initial target). 5 The total number of people reached may be lower than the sum of people reached in each sector, as some people will have received support from more than one sector

Regional Overview Latin America DRC currently only has a COVID-19 specific response in Colombia. DRC assisted a population of approximately 10,000 refugees and migrants through its protection monitoring activities and information dissemination during July 2020. This target group covers Venezuelan refugees and migrants (75%) and vulnerable Colombians (25%) living primarily in informal settlements or in marginal areas of big towns. A small proportion, 1%, of the Colombian cohort belongs to an indigenous group. Outlook for next month: DRC Colombia will continue its emergency multipurpose cash program to meet the basic needs of vulnerable refugees and migrants, while the protection response will be scaled up during the remaining months of 2020. With the reopening of transit camps in the north of the country, DRC is managing new entries of persons of concern, and camp coordination and management activities are expected to increase. Expanding its operation, DRC will start a multipurpose cash distribution through local implementing partners in Mexico and Peru.

Table 6 - Estimated needs and people reached: Middle East per sector (cumulative figures) Number of people Number of people Sector % reached planned actual (cumulative) Protection 30,000 10,000 33% Basic Needs 10,000 12,121 Target exceeded Economic Recovery 0 0 - Community 0 - Engagement/AVR 0 WASH 0 0 - Camp Management and 0 Shelter/Settlements 350 Target exceeded Total 40,000 22,471 56%

DRC Recommendations

Protection, Access to Asylum and Rights must be Uphold in a Time of Crisis  Safeguard access to asylum and other forms of international protection and respect the principle of non-refoulement  Ensure displacement-affected populations can access their rights and live a life in dignity during the pandemic  Ensure that protection of affected populations and their inclusion in both national response and recovery plans

Impartiality, Non-discrimination, Inclusion and Conflict Sensitivity Principles  Ensure adherence to the humanitarian principles of impartiality and non-discrimination to promote a needs-based response centered around those most at risk and vulnerable  Ensure displacement-affected people have access to information

Resilience and Recovery – a Focus from the Outset  Support the resilience and self-reliance of affected populations through economic recovery activities

Enhance Local Response Capacities  Empower and include local organizations in the COVID-19 response  Ensure that critically needed funding reaches responders on the ground

Allow for Humanitarian Exemptions  Ensure local and international organizations providing humanitarian assistance have continued access to populations in need

Access our global appeal and related information at https://drc.ngo/covid