COVID-19 Response - Situation Report 9 (14-16 April 2020)

Since it was initially reported on 31 December 2019, the illness known as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly across the globe, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a worldwide pandemic. As of 17 April, confirmed cases globally surpassed 2 million, with over 135,000 deaths, since the outbreak began. Confirmed cases have been reported in more than 200 countries/territories/areas, with new cases and countries reporting daily. With the rapid increase in the global number of cases, global mobility restrictions have been extended and strengthened. A total of 202 countries, territories and areas have issued 47,423 mobility restrictions and measures as of 15 April 2020 highlighting a 3 per cent increase in the total number of restrictions issued (from 45,960 restrictions as of the last report on 9 April 2020). The tightening of mobility restrictions has increased considerably since 9 April, as restrictions such as visa suspensions and invalidations increased by 84 per cent and other forms of restrictions (such as new travel requirements) also saw a 20 per cent increase. This spike in new restrictions has been complemented by the extension or creation of national lockdown policies. With the number of new COVID-19 cases continuing to rise and economies worldwide slowing under the weight of the pandemic, the enormity of the immediate need and longer-term socio-economic impact as a result of the virus are coming sharply into focus. To outline its response to this unprecedented crisis, IOM has expanded the scope of its Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) to support vital preparedness, response and recovery activities relating to the pandemic in 140 countries. The revised SPRP – an update to the previous IOM appeal for USD 116.1 million – requests USD 499 million to provide far-reaching interventions which aim to mitigate the dire health and other humanitarian needs, as well as longterm development impacts of the pandemic on a global scale. The SPRP reflects the organization’s commitment to respond to the effects of COVID-19 in a rapid, effective, and principled manner to support migrants, returnees, displaced populations, communities and vulnerable populations gravely affected by the pandemic’s impacts.