Cities on the Frontline #10 – May 14, 2020
Migrants and refugees have played critical roles in the response and recovery efforts to the pandemic; these communities have provided leadership to design and implement recovery plans within cities, as well as leadership to mobilize action. Many Mayors around the world have taken pragmatic action to ensure no one gets left behind, by removing obstacles (such as licensing barriers for immigrant doctors to allow for them to provide patient care during the pandemic and many other examples). These and other efforts will be essential to rebuild social cohesion and counter toxic narratives spreading along with the virus.
Migrants, Refugees and COVID-19
Vittoria Zanuso Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council
As resilience practitioners, it’s crucial to ensure that migrants and refugees populations are not dealt with in silos and that every intervention to address their needs, also benefits other vulnerable groups in the host community to prevent competition over scarce resources and to build social cohesion. That’s because when cities make their plans work for the most vulnerable, they also make them work for all the residents.
City of Los Angeles: An Inclusive Response to COVID-19
Nora Preciado, Director, Immigrant Affairs, Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles
As COVID-19 has disproportionate impact on communities of colour & immigrants, inclusive actions are needed. Recovery measures should be as broad-reaching as possible with a focus on underserved communities.
Migrant and Refugee Sensitive COVID-19 Response and Recovery
Samer Saliba, Urban Technical Advisor, International Rescue Committee
Examples of Nairobi, Kenya and Maiduguri, Nigeria show the importance of inclusive response and recovery. Cities are on the frontline, but at-risk communities are the first responders.
Watch the full session here:
