Pretoria, December 2020 – Since March 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 was announced in South Africa and a national lockdown declared, the country saw its number of positive cases rise to 751,024, with 22,432 deaths as of 9 December 2020. Amidst rigorous preventive restrictions introduced by the Government, the pandemic led to a gradual worsening of the socio-economic impact across the nation, further affecting the lives of vulnerable groups, among whom were a significant number of stranded migrants.

According to International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Regional Office in Southern Africa, between 21 March and 20 October 2020, some 77,262 migrants from Southern Africa were identified as having been stranded in countries within the region and beyond. Among them were 11,629 based in South Africa.

It is against this backdrop that the IOM, in partnership with the European Union (EU) under its civil protection and humanitarian aid department (ECHO), is embarking on a relief initiative for migrants stranded in South Africa and threatened by the deteriorating socio-economic impact from the national COVID-19 related restrictions.

“The Government of South Africa has done a very important job in establishing social support mechanisms to assist the most vulnerable people facing the brunt of the necessary preventive nationwide restrictions,” said Alexandre Castellano, head of the EU’s Humanitarian Aid Office for Southern Africa. “Migrants, however, often remain vulnerable, requiring further care. Through this partnership with IOM, the aim is to complement the Government’s efforts by providing immediate basic relief to those most affected by this pandemic.”

The initiative was launched on 16 November and will assist over 3500 migrants in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Vouchers will permit the beneficiaries to make purchases of a total value of R700 at any Checkers, Shoprite or U-Save supermarkets. 

“My husband and I have been in South Africa since 2012, and this is the first time we have not been able to work and make a living,” said Patricia Rappi, a Malawian national living in Gauteng. “We now have two children, and the youngest was born four months ago prematurely. It has been difficult providing for the family, and even buying diapers. This assistance will help a lot.”

The aim of the initiative is to reduce the suffering of vulnerable and stranded migrants affected by COVID-19 who do not qualify for social protection in South Africa by providing them with life-saving humanitarian assistance in the form of food vouchers to purchase essential food items.

“The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 is very real, and no one knows how long the virus will continue to affect the world, stated Ms. Lily Sanya, the IOM Chief of Mission in South Africa. “IOM, in collaboration with the UN Country Team in South Africa, remains committed to helping migrants that are most vulnerable to these unpredictable circumstances, and this initiative will certainly help alleviate some of the immediate burdens they face, and we are very thankful for the support of the EU,” she said.

The head of the UN in South Africa and the Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, thanked the EU for its support, “particularly as the UN recognizes that the outbreak is a global challenge that must be addressed through an inclusive approach based on international solidarity and cooperation amongst us all.”

For more information, please contact Maria Moreriane, IOM South Africa, at mmoreriane@iom.int | +27825696721