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

Abstract

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 asylumseekers 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.

Are asylum seekers, refugees and foreign migrants considered in the COVID-19 vaccine discourse?

“…12 These structural xenophobic tendencies, and more, are further manifested in the lack of engagement and consideration of this population in countries' economic, poverty and hunger alleviation schemes during the national lockdown measures. 7 Although COVID-19, disproportionately, has a greater impact on certain populations, asylum seekers, refugees and foreign-born migrants usually find themselves in comparatively worse positions of vulnerability. 7 The COVID-19 vulnerabilities are usually an extrapolation of already existing vulnerabilities: weakened social support structures, bleak socioeconomic prospects, unequal access to healthcare and social services, precarious housing conditions, tenuous living and working conditions, and higher risks of exploitation and abuse.…”

“…7 Although COVID-19, disproportionately, has a greater impact on certain populations, asylum seekers, refugees and foreign-born migrants usually find themselves in comparatively worse positions of vulnerability. 7 The COVID-19 vulnerabilities are usually an extrapolation of already existing vulnerabilities: weakened social support structures, bleak socioeconomic prospects, unequal access to healthcare and social services, precarious housing conditions, tenuous living and working conditions, and higher risks of exploitation and abuse. 8 13 14 These vulnerabilities have exacerbated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as they are living in crowded refugee camps and deportation centres with little or no resources and opportunities to practise personal hygiene and social (physical) distancing, in addition to diminished access to food and healthcare services.…”

“…12 These structural xenophobic tendencies, and more, are further manifested in the lack of engagement and consideration of this population in countries’ economic, poverty and hunger alleviation schemes during the national lockdown measures. 7 …”

“… 8 13 14 These vulnerabilities have exacerbated in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as they are living in crowded refugee camps and deportation centres with little or no resources and opportunities to practise personal hygiene and social (physical) distancing, in addition to diminished access to food and healthcare services. 7 15 16 Those among the general population live in informal/illegal situations in urban slums having issues with access to basic health facilities owing to insecurity and crime that prevail in these informal settlements.…”

“…1 The general COVID-19 literature has consistently identified people with chronic comorbidities as a most-at-risk population, while the literature on migration in the context of COVID-19 has also identified asylum seekers, refugees and foreign migrants as a most-at-risk population owing to their existing vulnerabilities. 7 8 Worst still, asylum seekers, refugees and foreign-born migrants are most likely to suffer from the consequences of COVID-19 as their conditions continue to worsen in refugee camps around the world, 9 thus increasing their risk.…”