IOM MENA Region COVID-19 Response - Situation Report 1 (1 - 15 April 2020)

As of April 15, there were 26,264 confirmed cases in the region with all countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region directly impacted. - To date, according to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), 67 percent of land, sea and air border points have been closed for entry and exit, with a further 18 percent partially closed, illustrating near complete cross border mobility standstill. - Of particular concern are COVID-19 related mass migrant movements between the Horn of Africa and the Gulf Countries. Such migration movements may have the unintended effect of driving transmission of the virus and further impacting weak health facilities and economies in countries of origin. - Severe mobility restrictions continue to generate secondary socio-economic impacts with the daily movement of people, goods and services coming to a near stop as governments seek to limit the spread of the virus. These repercussions heighten the pre-existing vulnerabilities of affected persons. - On 15th April, IOM has revised its initial COVID-19 Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to $499,393,000, of which $72,898,000 is for the region.