Unspoken inequality: how COVID-19 has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities of asylum-seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants in South Africa.

Journal: International journal for equity in health

Volume: 19

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2020

Affiliated Institutions:  Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. mukumbang@gmail.com. Department of History, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. Child and Family Unit/Social work, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.

Abstract summary 

An estimated 2 million foreign-born migrants of working age (15-64) were living in South Africa (SA) in 2017. Structural and practical xenophobia has driven asylum-seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants in SA to abject poverty and misery. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment measures adopted by the SA government through the lockdown of the nation have tremendously deepened the unequal treatment of asylum-seekers and refugees in SA. This can be seen through the South African government's lack of consideration of this marginalized population in economic, poverty, and hunger alleviation schemes. Leaving this category of our society out of the national response safety nets may lead to negative coping strategies causing mental health issues and secondary health concerns. An effective response to the socioeconomic challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic should consider the economic and health impact of the pandemic on asylum-seekers, refugees, and undocumented migrants.

Authors & Co-authors:  Mukumbang Ferdinand C FC Ambe Anthony N AN Adebiyi Babatope O BO

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  African Centre for Migration & Society . Fact sheet on foreign workers in South Africa: overview based on statistics South Africa data (2012–2017) Johannesburg: ACMS; 2020.
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 141
SSN : 1475-9276
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
Asylum-seekers;COVID-19;Mental health;Refugees;South Africa;Undocumented migrants
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
South Africa
Publication Country
England