Refugees living in low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on data from eight hosting countries before COVID-19, we find that refugees are 60 percent more likely than host populations to be working in highly impacted sectors, such as accommodation and food services, manufacturing, and retail. As a result, COVID-19 will likely lead to widespread loss of livelihoods and an increase in poverty among refugee populations. These impacts will be exacerbated by the fact that COVID-19 has made it more difficult for refugees to access the labor market, social safety nets, and aid provided by humanitarian organizations. Going forward, as refugee-hosting countries face looming economic recession, increasing unemployment, and rising xenophobia, there will be increased skepticism of refugees’ economic inclusion. This paper explores these issues and argues expanded economic inclusion is in the best interests of refugees, their host populations, and their host countries. It also provides a series of recommendations for refugee-hosting countries to safeguard refugee livelihoods in the short- and long-term.
Publishing Organizations: Na'amal, Jobtech Alliance
Author(s): Dr Shuting Xia, Lorraine Charles
Publishing Organizations: ODI Global
Author(s): Caitlin Sturridge, Amanda Gray Meral, Kerrie Holloway, Simon Levine
Publishing Organizations: The Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (JEMS)
Author(s): R.A. Rizka Fiani Prabaningtyas, Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti, Antje Missbach, Faudzan Farhana, Athiqah Nur Alami
Publishing Organizations: SSM - Mental Health
Author(s): Dr. Ilana Seff, Arturo Harker Roa, Raymond Atwebembere, Jennie Cottle, Ned Meerdink, Adriana Monar, Diany Castellar, Dr. Lindsay Stark
Publishing Organizations: Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative
Author(s): Dr. Ilana Seff, Dr. Lindsay Stark, Kari Diener, Kellie Leeson, Ned Meerdink, Alli Gillespie
Publishing Organizations: The World Bank
Author(s): Jan von der Goltz, Kirsten Schuettler, Julie Bousquet, Tewodros Aragie Kebede
Publishing Organizations: Norwegian Refugee Council
Publishing Organizations: Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative
Author(s): Climate Risks and Self-Reliance Technical Working Group (TWG)
Publishing Organizations: Jobtech Alliance, Na'amal, Hilton Foundation
Publishing Organizations: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
Author(s): Boel McAteer and Kellie Leeson