UN chief urges countries to protect refugees during COVID-19

(Karachi) United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres has urged the countries to protect people on the move during coronavirus pandemic.

In a video message on Wednesday, Guterres said that people on the move, such as refugees and internally displaced people who are forced to flee their homes from violence or disasters, or migrants, face three crises: a health crisis, a socio-economic crisis and protection crisis.

Guterres maintained, "COVID19 continues to devastate the lives of the most vulnerable - including refugees & internally displaced people."

#COVID19 continues to devastate the lives of the most vulnerable - including refugees & internally displaced people.

Here are ways we can reduce the impact of the virus among people on the move & recover better for the benefit of all: https://t.co/vCv1ZQTCBF pic.twitter.com/VekBQz1Hmb

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 3, 2020

“The COVID-19 crisis is an opportunity to re-imagine human mobility,” he said. He called the countries to develop a new way of thinking about human mobility.

The UN chief also thanked countries, especially in developing countries, which, despite their own social, economic and health challenges, opened their borders and their hearts to refugees and migrants.