Nowhere to go? The case of displaced people in Maghreb states during the COVID-19 pandemic

Johnatan Da Costa Santos

doi:10.1590/1980-85852503880006305

Abstract

Abstract The spread of COVID-19 in early 2020 has prompted governments to impose travel and mobility restrictions ranging from increased border controls to limitations to internal movement, and border closures. These measures significantly influenced migration trends and patterns, leaving thousands of migrants and refugees with nowhere to go. Therefore, this paper examines the influence of the COVID-19 on the lives of migrants and refugees in three Maghreb states (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) and studies the policies implemented to assist in areas such as health, shelter, and economic relief. This paper also considers the legal and material practices through which migrants and refugees were governed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The paper finds that as the pandemic develops and waves of infection continue in the region, local governments face crumbling healthcare infrastructure and long-term financial consequences that directly affect nationals and non-nationals.

Highlights

The spread of COVID-19 in early 2020 has prompted governments to impose travel and mobility restrictions ranging from increased border controls to limitations to internal movement, and border closures
In 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 aggravated the situation in the Maghreb States, where all countries in the region, including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, imposed border closures, social distancing, curfews, and lockdowns
The measures being imposed by world leaders without regard to international conventions directly affect the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who do not, for instance, hold refugee status, permanent residence permits or other forms of travel documentation, violating, their rights of free mobility and freedom which directly affects those in need to seek asylum

Summary

Introduction

The spread of COVID-19 in early 2020 has prompted governments to impose travel and mobility restrictions ranging from increased border controls to limitations to internal movement, and border closures. There are several types of migration categorisation where forced migration, refugees and asylum seekers are the most vulnerable due to local governments or international institutions’ lack of policies or protection provisions.

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Conclusion