§ In Côte d’Ivoire, documentation exercises for persons at high risk of statelessness are continuing so as to help avoid the risk of immigration detention. Response measures and fear may fuel xenophobia and discrimination Mitigation measures and fear may fuel xenophobia and discrimination in relation to certain population groups perceived to be at risk of contagion, including those who are highly mobile (e.g., nomadic people). A majority of the world’s known stateless population belong to minority groups and as such they may be particularly vulnerable to discrimination. For more information about how statelessness affects minority groups see UNHCR’s report This is Our Home: Stateless Minorities and their Search for Citizenship. Recommendations § § § In line with the recent statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, governments should ensure that their response to the pandemic does not contribute to xenophobia and racial discrimination. If a certain population is facing a cluster of infections or otherwise perceived to be at risk of contagion, actions and communication efforts should discourage any discrimination or targeting of members of the group, or the group as a whole. Particular attention should be paid to those groups that are already marginalized or otherwise face discrimination. Authorities tasked to enforce measures should be instructed not to target certain groups. Socio-economic impact of the crisis on stateless persons Stateless persons and those at risk of statelessness often already live on the margins of society, and the lack of legal identity documentation exacerbates their lack of access to social services. They may live in sub-standard, crowded housing with inadequate sanitation that compounds the risk of a serious outbreak. They are more likely to be self-employed or employed in informal sectors such that they cannot always adhere to public health protocols such as self-isolation and social distancing, making them more vulnerable to contracting the virus. Government relief aid packages to those that have become unemployed are typically not extended to non-citizens. Recommendations § § It is recommended that governments extend financial support packages to all those resident on the territory who meet the vulnerability criteria, regardless of legal status. Particular consideration should be given to stateless persons and those at risk of statelessness who are homeless, and options for temporary housing should be supported where possible. Good practices § UNHCR / May 2020 In Sudan, food distribution to vulnerable families is carried out without families needing to show individual documentation or a national identification number. 6