HOW TO ADDRESS VULNERABILITIES OF DISPLACED POPULATIONS THROUGH LOCALISED COVID-19 RESPONSES Addressing vulnerability to epidemics in forcibly displaced populations who have witnessed violence, experienced extreme hardship and already had to rebuild their lives multiple times is a complex task. The coping systems which populations displaced by war have built up are fragile and humanitarian responses should take care not to harm the social relationships, networks and systems which populations turn to in times of crisis. Furthermore, international responders and actors from capital cities are having difficulties reaching displaced populations with public health interventions and peace-making initiatives. To address current and future vulnerabilities in such a context, social science research and the participation of local actors will be key to identifying emerging vulnerabilities, creating feasible and appropriate strategies to address them, and delivering assistance. The COVID-19 pandemic therefore provides a unique opportunity to support and further localise responses. We offer the following recommendations on how humanitarian agencies and governments can support local actors during this pandemic to reduce vulnerabilities created by COVID-19: Promote holistic public health responses which address multiple vulnerabilities related to COVID-19: COVID-19 is exposing the limitations of humanitarian protection systems to provide safety, protect livelihoods and deliver durable solutions for forcibly-displaced populations.6 COVID-19 responses should acknowledge the multiple sources of trauma forcibly displaced populations have already experienced and ensure that displaced populations are not pushed into even more precarious situations by public health measures. A holistic approach enables solutions to public health problems without endangering existing coping strategies, for example, by: ◼ Avoiding imposing complete lockdowns for conflict-affected and displaced populations to minimise economic hardships and violence and finding ways to adapt agricultural production.89 For example, less restrictive strategies such as adopting queuing systems and alternating days for individual vendors can help maintain safe physical distances in outdoor markets that enable some trade. 90 As few displaced people are exclusively ‘aid-dependent’ or ‘self-reliant’, global donors should also continue to give generously to humanitarian funding mechanisms to support displaced people in precarious economic circumstances. Humanitarian and local actors should invest in emergency financial protection systems which can reach self-settled refugees in exceptional circumstances. ◼ Protecting peoples’ existing homes and safe spaces and work with them to become safer from COVID19 transmission. Displaced people should not be asked to leave camps, settlements and other sites where they have sought sanctuary during an epidemic, especially if they cannot do so safely. Health facilities which serve large displaced populations should not be entirely given over to COVID-19 activities unless alternative service provision arrangements can be made and are communicated about clearly. KEY CONSIDERATIONS: COVID-19 AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND EAST AFRICA Contact: a.wilkinson@ids.ac.uk 18