Irregular migration could spike around the globe as the COVID-19 pandemic increases hunger and food insecurity, according to a new report.

The ground breaking report, titled ‘Populations at risk: Implications of COVID-19 for hunger, migration and displacement’, was produced by the by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

It found that global hunger and population displacement – both already at record levels when COVID-19 struck – could rise as people on the move and those relying on a reduced flows of remittances desperately seek work to support their families.

The report says the pandemic has driven up food insecurity and increased vulnerability among migrants, families reliant on remittances and communities forced from their homes by conflict, violence and disasters. 

The two UN agencies have warned that the social and economic toll of the pandemic could be devastating and urge nation to prevent catastrophe by stepping up support in response to immediate and rising humanitarian needs.

The report calls on states to, address the socioeconomic impacts of the crisis and ensuring that the most vulnerable are not forgotten. 

“The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on health and human mobility threatens to roll back global commitments, including within the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and hinder ongoing efforts to support those in need of assistance. It is our collective responsibility to safeguard the rights of people on the move and ensure their protection from further harm,” the report said.

IOM Director-General, António Vitorino said the socio-economic fallout from COVID-19 could be worse than the disease itself.   

“Many people in low-and middle-income countries, who a few months ago were poor but just about getting by, now find their livelihoods have been destroyed,” Mr Vitorino said.

“Remittances sent from workers abroad to their families at home have also dried up, causing immense hardship. As a result, hunger rates are sky-rocketing around the world,” he said.

The report says the impact the pandemic has had on the ways people move is unprecedented. Measures and restrictions put in place in over 220 countries, territories or areas to contain the spread of the disease have limited human mobility, opportunities to work and earn an income, straining the ability of migrants and displaced people to afford food and other basic needs.  

It says food insecurity and displacement are closely intertwined.

“Hunger – especially when combined with conflict – is a critical push factor driving people to move. Nine out of ten of the world’s worst food crises are in countries with the largest number of internally displaced persons,” the report says.

“Meanwhile, the majority of displaced people are located in countries affected by acute food insecurity and malnutrition,” it says.  

The world’s 164 million migrant workers, especially those working in the informal sector, are some of the worst hit by the pandemic.

They often work on temporary or seasonal bases for low wages without access to social protection systems. During economic crises, these populations are often the first to lose their jobs, the report points out.

At the same time, disruptions to seasonal agricultural work could have ramifications on the production, processing and distribution of food, which could affect food availability and affordability at local and regional levels. 

“Without sustained income, many migrants will not only be pushed to return home but will also cause at least a temporary drop in remittances which provide an essential lifeline for around 800 million – or one in nine – people in the world,” the reports says.  

It says the pandemic has made livelihood opportunities for migrants increasingly problematic.

The World Bank expects a 14 per cent in remittances to low-and-middle-income countries by 2021.

The WFP says the consequences for food security could be devastating. The organisation predicts that by end of 2021 at least 33 million additional people could be driven into hunger due to the expected drop in remittances alone.

IOM and WFP have called on the international community to limit the immediate impact on the most vulnerable of the world’s people, while ensuring longer term investments that ensure a pathway to recovery.

Read the full report here: https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/populations_at_risk_-_implications_of_covid-19_for_hunger_migration_and_displacement.pdf