IGAD DONATES Person prevention equipment to REFUGEES AT MARKAZI CAMPS IN OBOCK (REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI) to support the PREVENTION efforts AGAINST COVID 19

August 12, 2020 (Obock, Djibouti): A team from IGAD- The Intergovernmental Authority for Development- made a visit on the 12^th of August to the town of Obock-(Republic of Djibouti) to hand over a donation consisting of face masks and sanitary gel for the refugees in the Markazi camp as part of the efforts or actions to prevent the spread of COVID 19 virus. The donation was officially transferred to the authorities of the Prefecture of Obock and to officers of the National Office for Assistance to Refugees and Displaced persons (ONARS) in the presence of members of the refugee community.

This visit by the IGAD team was an opportunity to learn first-hand about the extremely precarious social conditions of the migrant populations in the Obock region.

The visit of the IGAD team to Obock was a continuation of   field visits undertaken at Holl-Holl refugee camp and Aour Aoussa Migrant center in the Ali Sabieh Region, in the southern part of the Republic of Djibouti, in the course of June and July 2020 by the Executive Secretary of IGAD His Excellency Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu. During these visits, the Executive Secretary of IGAD handed over similar donations of sanitary equipment to demonstrate the solidarity and IGAD's commitment to mitigate the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic on vulnerable groups such as refugees and migrants.

While visiting Obock, the IGAD team IGAD witnessed various challenges and identified the humanitarian expectations and the needs of the vulnerable populations.

Obock Region, located in the northern part of the Republic of Djibouti, is a major migratory route and crossing point for thousands of migrants from IGAD Countries.

The humanitarian situation of migrant is particularly worrying, especially in the current context of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Finding durable solutions to the migrants and refugees remains an absolute priority.  And IGAD will continue to exert concerted efforts to ensure the effective implementation of regional strategy for COVID-19 response   and better coordination between the Member States will.