At the end of the first quarter, the challenges faced by MIRPS countries worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to PAHO/WHO, out of the ten countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases, five were in the Americas in June. In this context, asylum seekers, refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees with protection needs faced new risks to their health, security, access to rights and resilience.
MIRPS countries lead our national responses under the core premise that the response to the COVID-19 pandemic must reach all people, including refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and returnees with protection needs. In this regard, each technical team conducted an evaluation of their national commitments, establishing priorities for the use of their limited resources and to focus their efforts.
The Pro Tempore Presidency promoted the incorporation of new partners and promoted collaborations with donors interested in financially, technically and materially supporting the needs of MIRPS countries in compliance with their national and international commitments.