UNOG Bi-weekly press Briefing: COVID-19 Report-IOM - WFP
/
2:26
/
MP4
/
180 MB

Edited News | WFP , IOM

UNOG Bi-weekly press Briefing: COVID-19 Report - IOM/WFP

COVID-19 pandemic is worsening the plight of millions of migrants, finds UN study

The global COVID-19 pandemic is making life much harder for millions of migrants and is expected to increase their number, two United Nations agencies said in a report published jointly on Tuesday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has driven up food insecurity and increased vulnerability - among migrants, families reliant on remittances, and communities forced from their homes by conflict, violence and disasters. In a report released today, the International Organization for Migration and the World Food Programme warn the social and economic toll of the pandemic could be devastating on the lives of millions”, IOM spokesperson Angela Wells told a regular briefing of journalists in Geneva.

“The impact COVID-19 has had on the ways people move is unprecedented and issues of food and security have been closely interlinked. We are particularly concerned about the reality facing the more than 2.75 million migrants stranded on their journeys around the world. Many are now unable to return to their places of work, their communities, or their countries of origin. Stranded in precarious situations, many are reliant on humanitarian agencies for food support.”

Hunger and forced migration go together, she said, with nine out of the 10 worst food crises occurring in countries which also had the largest numbers of internally displaced persons. Obstacles to migration would only make things harder.

“More than 94,000 travel restrictions in over 220 countries, territories or areas, put in place to contain the spread of the disease, have limited opportunities for people to move, work and afford food and other basic needs. Without sustained income, the report warns that many will be pushed to return home, which will cause a significant drop in remittances, which we estimate provide an essential lifeline for around 800 million, or one in nine people in the world”, Ms. Wells said.

WFP spokesperson Tomson Phiri said the pandemic had hit after four consecutive years of rising hunger, caused by conflict, climate-related shocks and economic crisis.

“Now, the World Food Programme projects that the number of acutely food insecure people in 79 countries where we operate and where this analysis was done could increase by 80% from 149 million before COVID-19 hit to about 270 million by the end of this year, 2020”, Mr. Phiri said.

“Nearly 3 million migrants have been stranded by coronavirus travel restrictions, unable to travel back either to communities, unable to travel back to their places of work.”

  1. Exterior wide shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags flying, a cloudy day.
  2. Wide shot, podium with speakers in a near-empty Room XIV in line with COVID-19 distancing measures, side shot, Palais des Nations.
  3. SOUNDBITE (English) — Angela Wells, spokesperson, International Organization for Migration (IOM): “The COVID-19 pandemic has driven up food insecurity and increased vulnerability - among migrants, families reliant on remittances, and communities forced from their homes by conflict, violence and disasters. In a report released today, the International Organization for Migration and the World Food Programme warn the social and economic toll of the pandemic could be devastating on the lives of millions.”
  4. Medium shot, journalist sitting, wearing mask, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
  5. SOUNDBITE (English) — Angela Wells, spokesperson, International Organization for Migration (IOM): “The impact COVID-19 has had on the ways people move is unprecedented and issues of food and security have been closely interlinked. We are particularly, we are particularly concerned about the reality facing the more than 2.75 million migrants stranded on their journeys around the world. Many are now unable to return to their places of work, their communities, or their countries of origin. Stranded in precarious situations, many are reliant on humanitarian agencies for food support.”
  6. Medium shot, UN Staff member sitting in front of laptop, low-angle shot, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
  7. SOUNDBITE (English) — Angela Wells, spokesperson, International Organization for Migration (IOM): “More than 94,000 travel restrictions in over 220 countries, territories or areas, put in place to contain the spread of the disease have limited opportunities for people to move, work and afford food and other basic needs. Without sustained income the report warns that many will be pushed to return home, which will cause a significant drop in remittances, which we estimate provide an essential lifeline for around 800 million, or one in nine people in the world.”
  8. Close-up, Tomson Phiri talking, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
  9. SOUNDBITE (English) — Tomson Phiri, spokesperson, World Food Programme (WFP): “The World Food Programme projects that the number of acutely food insecure people in 79 countries where we operate and where this analysis was done could increase by 80 per cent from 149 million before COVID-19 hit to about 270 million by the end of this year, 2020.”
  10. Wide shot, near-empty Room XIV in line with COVID-19 distancing measures, side shot, Palais des Nations.
  11. SOUNDBITE (English) — Tomson Phiri, spokesperson, World Food Programme (WFP): “Nearly 3 million migrants have been stranded by coronavirus travel restrictions, unable to travel back either to communities, unable to travel back to their places of work.”
  12. Wide shot, podium with speakers in foreground and Room XIV to rear, Palais des Nations.
  13. Medium shot, podium with speakers, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
  14. Medium shot, journalists sitting in front of laptop, wearing masks, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.

Similar Stories

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO ENG FRA

Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians

Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025

1

1

1

Edited News

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025 ENG FRA

Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end”

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end” ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC ENG FRA

Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital 

UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

2

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire

UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO ENG FRA

The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine ENG FRA

A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022. 

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , UNICEF

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF ENG FRA

Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur

Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025

2

1

2

Edited News , B-roll | UN WOMEN

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025 ENG FRA

Women and girls still reeling from Afghanistan's recent deadly earthquake face even greater suffering rebuilding their lives and livelihoods without much more help from the international community, UN Women said on Friday.

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung ENG FRA

Rising civilian casualties, growing ethnic violence and the grim humanitarian situation in Sudan underscore how the crisis there is deepening, according to a UN Human rights report published today.

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNITED NATIONS

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025 ENG FRA

United Nations agencies staff demonstrates on Place des Nations in Geneva to denounce the killing of their colleagues in Gaza.