Covid-19: Understanding the impact of the pandemic on forcibly displaced persons

Authors: Rebecca Sutton, Allyson Doby

This paper draws together emerging evidence and makes urgent recommendations to support displaced persons as the pandemic makes their lives even harder than ever, and pre-existing inequalities have deepened. The three papers explore diverse lived experiences, shedding light on the erosion of forcibly displaced persons’ rights during the pandemic, the realities of Syrian refugees with disabilities in Turkey, and displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh.

Produced with support from the Covid Collective, this paper profiles findings from our own research into how the pandemic has impacted displaced Rohingya communities living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The project identifies five dimensions to consider for policy and practice: awareness and understanding of Covid-19, the impact on Rohingya livelihoods, changing family relationships, perceptions of medical clinics and hospitals, and lack of meaningful consultation from service providers.