Mobility across the听arid African听Sahel听region听is a long-standing tradition and is considered a critical livelihood and adaptation strategy for millions听in one of the world鈥檚 harshest environments.听听
Now, as governments are听mandating听significant restrictions of movement to contain the propagation of the听coronavirus听(COVID-19)听鈥撎齨otably by putting a halt on border trade and 鈥渘on-essential鈥� activities听鈥撎齢eavy socio-economic impacts for households have begun.听 听
鈥淚鈥檓 stranded here for weeks, and I can鈥檛 send money to my parents and my wife because I have to use the money for food and accommodation,鈥� explained Malick, a Senegalese trader once accustomed to travelling to Mauritania weekly for commerce.听听
Stranded since March at the S茅libabi, Mauritania, border station, he added,听鈥淣ow, I can no longer support my family in Senegal, as I am jobless.鈥澨�
For this man, and thousands of others, this week (14 May), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) joined several UN agencies and NGOs in West and Central Africa to sound the alarm about the rapidly deteriorating crisis in the Sahel amid the COVID-19 crisis, a condition now headed to unprecedented levels of humanitarian need across the region.听听听
UNDESA estimates there are 9.5 million West and Central African migrants currently in the region, more than 100,000 of whom are considered returning migrants.听The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development calculates听cross-border trade听across the Sahel听today听represents almost 12 per听cent of the region's overall trade volume.听听听
Therefore, mobility in the region is crucial to livelihoods in several nations,听upon which the pandemic听already听is having a devastating impact.听听
鈥淢any cross-border traders call to ask when the border will reopen. We try to explain why the border must remain closed for now to curb COVID-19, but we know it is difficult for them,鈥� said Malick Singhateh, Public Health Officer at the Sabi border post, in The Gambia.听听
听The shutdown has also led to dramatic increases in prices of goods and food for millions of households. Herders and their families听鈥撎齱ho demographers estimate account for an estimated 20 per听cent of the region鈥檚 population听鈥撎齛lso have been forced to end their seasonal migration due to border closures.听
Preventive measures impeding transit of both people and goods have left over 20,000 migrants stranded at borders, and close to another 2,000 waiting in transit centres听听
These latest disruptions come on top of some 5.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), forced to move either due to conflict or natural disasters听(see chart below).听Those IDPs are likely to be living in congested conditions听and听face significant risks and vulnerabilities as they听struggle to meet basic needs.听
As an aggravating factor, migrants and displaced persons have generally limited access to public health care systems and may not be tested or treated for COVID-19 which can lead to worse outcomes for host populations.听听听听
鈥淔ailing to include migrants and displaced populations in the COVID-19 response means failing to respond to the crisis,鈥� explained Sophie Nonnenmacher, acting IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa. 鈥淣o one will be safe until everyone is safe.鈥澨�
鈥淢igrants and displaced communities must be seen as an integral part of any effective public health response,鈥� said Nonnenmacher, who added: 鈥淏order closures are not sustainable in the medium and long run. IOM stands ready to support countries in reopening border posts in a safe and timely manner.鈥澨�
IOM is working with governments in the region to provide for water and sanitation, and safe isolation needs in camps,听and to听strengthen measures at points of entry to ensure their safe reopening. IOM is also working with governments to听begin听voluntary humanitarian return programmes for vulnerable migrants,听now听the听sole听legal option听for听going听home.听听
