PROTECTION NOTE> West and Central Africa / 15 APRIL 2020 resettlement countries have indicated a willingness to carry over slots into 2021, but no final confirmation has been received so far. the imposition of conditions including mandatory testing for COVID-19, present significant challenges to any potential departures. Several countries have expressed a willingness to consider processing urgent and emergency cases during this period, including Australia, Sweden, Canada the Netherlands and Finland. However, access and travel constraints and in some cases The impact of COVID-19 on complementary pathway activities in the West and Central Africa region has been considerable, with most Embassies having suspended their visa services and not accepting new applications. Response • • • • Discussions with resettlement countries on the reprioritization and, where appropriate, renegotiation of submission deadlines for the region; Strategic review of resettlement identification methodologies in order to enhance and harmonize regional capacity to identify the most vulnerable refugees in need of resettlement, including where identification has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; Advocacy for the resettlement of urgent cases with countries still able to process such cases at this point of time; Establishment of mitigating measures for complementary pathways, such as remote counselling to provide applicants with guidance to complete necessary forms. For the most vulnerable and at-risk individuals, the office is looking into providing them with cash assistance and shelter. ©UNHCR POCs evacuated from Libya setting up a hand-washing station in the transit centre in Hamdallaye, Niger. UNHCR Regional Bureau for West & Central Africa Immeuble Faalo, route du King Fahd, BP 3125, Dakar, Senegal www.unhcr.org Twitter: @UNHCRWestAfrica – Facebook : UNHCR West & Central Africa 8