In light of national, cross-border, transboundary and regional hazards of various type in Southern Africa, a desk review was undertaken by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in order to enhance the understanding of disaster risk and spaces of vulnerability (i.e. exposure to hazards) in terms of natural disaster and/or crisis situations in Southern Africa, and map the current disaster risk governance structure and preparedness capacity in the region. Six countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region – namely, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – were targeted. Based on existing hazards, vulnerability and resilience, the concept of spaces of vulnerability (i.e. areas with higher exposure to risk), the review identifies spaces of vulnerability in the region to include the following elements: 1. Location of national or transboundary hazards and hazard-prone areas, including but not limited to the Zambezi, Limpopo and Okavango river basins; the Indian Ocean coastline; the East African Rift Valley; dry lands; and areas experiencing particularly unpredictable weather patterns. 2. Areas with increased level of vulnerability, including but not limited to: a. Rural areas with high poverty levels; depending on rain-fed agriculture and subsistence farming; with inadequate housing and/or access to basic services such as water and sanitation; at distance to or absence to health-care facilities; b. Urban areas not properly planned and/or informal settlements; with high poverty levels, unemployment, income inequality and social exclusion; with inadequate housing and/or access to basic services such as water and sanitation and/or otherwise poor infrastructure; with high population density; with a diverse community living in discord with each other and/or facing social tension; c. Border areas with a high level of cross-border population movement, or border areas where communities face transboundary hazards; d. Specific vulnerabilities faced by population groups or individuals, including but not limited to migrants and particularly undocumented migrants and “people of concern”; people living with HIV/AIDS; people with special needs; people disadvantaged by or living in the margins of a community/society. 3. Areas with little or no disaster risk management capacity – including absence of comprehensive planning for prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities. As such, disaster risk reduction and resilience initiatives adapted to national, cross-border, transboundary and regional hazards; development challenges and vulnerabilities; and disaster risk management systems are required, mainstreaming relevant regional dynamics such as sustainable development, climate change, urbanization, and migration into disaster risk management frameworks and operational mechanisms.

This guidance presents Red Cross and Red Crescent staff, members and volunteers with a set of minimum standards for protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) in emergencies. It aims to ensure that the emergency programming of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and National Societies provides dignity, access, participation and safety for all people affected by disasters and crises. It provides practical guidance on how to mainstream these four principles in all sectors, based on a consideration of gender, age, disability and other diversity factors. This includes limiting people’s exposure to the risks of violence and abuse and ensuring that emergency programmes “do no harm”. The standards address protection, gender and inclusion concerns by providing practical ways to engage with all members of the community, respond to their differing needs and draw on their capacities in the most non-discriminatory and effective way. This helps to ensure that local perspectives guide assistance delivery. The standards also support incorporation of the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (hereinafter referred to as “the Movement”).

Since the beginning of the pandemic, IOM Mali has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Mali (MHSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen prevention and intervention against COVID-19 in Mali. Based on IOM’s similar experience during the EVD crisis, the same model at the border points and “sanitary cordons” is being evaluated to assist the Malian Government in this current pandemic. IOM is also coordinating its COVID-19 response with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and the United Nations Country Team for Security and Health. Through a reallocation of existing funds and reprograming of ongoing activities, IOM Mali has ensured rapid contribution to national COVID-19 responses. As such, a rapid assessment to evaluate the needs and response capacities to COVID-19 at 13 border crossing points, six internal transit points, 16 sanitary cordons throughout Mali has been put in place and continues to be evaluated weekly. IOM is also conducting training of border agents in the Southern part of Mali on COVID-19 prevention and protection measures. Moreover, IOM continues to carry out awareness raising activities towards IDPs and migrants in Mali regarding COVID-19 preventive measures as well as to provide sanitary and hygiene kits. IOM Mali has additionally enhanced its assisted voluntary programme to respond to the needs of stranded migrants who are unable to return to their country of origins. To effectively support the Government of Mali in its response to and recovery from this pandemic, it is crucial that dedicated COVID-19 response and recovery programmes are put in place to capitalize on efforts to fight this pandemic

In line with IOM’s Health, Border & Mobility Management Approach, and with an appreciation that in times of crisis migrants and displaced persons constitute one of the most vulnerable population groups, IOM plans, between May to December 2020, to implement a range of activities to further support the Government of Cameroon in its response to and recovery from COVID-19. This will be based on 7 of the 12 twelve pillars included in IOM’s global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, namely: Coordination and Partnerships, Tracking Mobility Impacts, Risk Communication and Community engagement, Point of Entry (PoE), Infection Prevention and Control, Camp Coordination and Camp Management, and Protection. Through its existing programming, IOM Cameroon has adapted its activities to rapidly contribute to the national COVID19 response, and now seeks additional support to leverage its vast operational presence for continued support to COVID19 response in-country. IOM’s wide presence of staff in Cameroon, wide network of local partners, existing migration health service programme, strong infrastructure in mobility tracking, and programmatic flexibility will ensure the Organization is able to rapidly assist those most in need.

The IOM Nigeria COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan outlines the main areas of intervention across pillars of COVID-19 response to continue to support the Government of Nigeria as well as humanitarian and development partners. The below total budget is an indicative requirement for IOM Nigeria’s planned interventions and is bound to evolve, given the evolving nature of the pandemic and the national priorities.

Prepared by members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), this Handbook aims to provide actors in the field with guidance on gender analysis, planning and actions to ensure that the needs, contributions and capacities of women, girls, boys and men are considered in all aspects of humanitarian response. It also offers checklists to assist in monitoring gender equality programming. The guidelines focus on major cross-cutting issues and areas of work in the early response phase of emergencies. The Handbook is also a useful tool to make sure gender issues are included in needs assessments, contingency planning and evaluations. It can be used as a tool to mainstreaming gender as a cross-cutting issue in the sectors/clusters. If used correctly, this Handbook will help promote the ultimate goal of protecting and promoting the human rights of women, girls, boys and men in humanitarian action and advancing the goal of gender equality

Gender-based violence is among the greatest protection challenges individuals, families and communities face during humanitarian emergencies. Accounts of horrific sexual violence in conflict situations-especially against women and girls- have captured public attention in recent years. These violations and less recognized forms of gender based violence -intimate partner violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation- are also being committed with distubing frequency. Natural disasters and other emergencies exacerbate the violence and diminish means of protection. And gender-based violence not only violates and traumatizes its survivors, it also undermines the resilience of their societies, making it harder to recover and rebuild. Despite the scope and severity of the problem, current programming to prevent gender-based violence and provide support for survivors is insufficient to deliver the desired results. The newly-revised Interagency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action: Reducing Risk, Promoting Resilience and Aiding Recovery are designed to address this gap, with clear steps the humanitarian community can take to protect people from gender-based violence. These Guidelines provide practical guidance and effective tools for humanitarians and communities to coordinate, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate essential actions for the prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence, throughout all stages of humanitarian response- from preparedness to recovery.

Of the approximately 5.1 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela displaced globally, some 4.3 million are hosted in Latin America and the Caribbean. The majority of Venezuelans have no prospects for a sustainable return in the short to medium-term. Colombia alone hosts more than 1.8 million refugees and migrants, including over 1 million with an irregular status, who are without proper documentation to facilitate access to basic rights and services including existential healthcare, WASH, nutrition and other life-saving facilities.

It is important to note that the IOM Emergency Manual is designed primarily to provide guidance to IOM staff operating in humanitarian contexts. Some entries, describing internal management and administrative processes are available only to IOM staff. To access this content, IOM staff will have to sign in using their IOM email address. However, most of the Emergency Manual's content is publicly available, making the manual accessible as a tool for humanitarian partners and other interested parties. In addition to IOM processes and procedures, the Emergency Manual also provides guidance on Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) frameworks and processes, including, but not limited to, the IASC Cluster System and the Humanitarian Programme Cycle. Note that guidance on inter-agency frameworks and procedures are taken from existing IASC tools and references with additional guidance included by IOM, when relevant, on how the Organization can better contribute to inter-agency frameworks.