UN Migration Network supports the Needs of Vulnerable Communities in KSA during COVID-19

The UN Network on Migration was launched in KSA in April 2020. UN agencies came together to establish the UN Network on Migration with the objective of ensuring coordinated UN system-wide approach to support the Government of KSA in the implementation, follow-up and review of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). This coordination effort is even more timely in light of the impact of COVID-19 as the pandemic is first and foremost a health issue, but also has unprecedented effects on mobility and migration. 

The Network sought to promote relevant efforts aiming at providing technical and policy support, by understanding the impact of COVID-19 on Foreign Temporary Contractual Workers in KSA. It provided an overview of key measures taken by the Government of the KSA in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as highlighted possible implications for this vulnerable community. 

The Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Fustier, in support of Migration Network’s efforts, met with various Embassies of Origin countries, among these embassies were: Somalia, Morocco, Ethiopia,  Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Kenya, to help assess the needs of the temporary contractual workers in country, and potential areas of support in the short, medium and long term. 

In response to the heightened needs of these workers who have lost their jobs and social safety net, food was recognized as a key, immediate need. Therefore, in the spirit of leaving no one behind, the UN Resident Coordinator in collaboration with Saudi Food Bank “Eta’am” facilitated the donations of food baskets to the vulnerable communities in Saudi Arabia with the support of the embassies of Origin.

The food baskets have been delivered to 1,423 families to effectively feed 15,228 persons in various cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, and Jeddah, Dammam and Jubail).

The Network agencies further are developing analysis of the needs on the ground and engaging with relevant government stakeholders to discuss potential areas of support and collaboration.