World Vision has issued a report on “vaccine justice” inequality in displaced persons communities worldwide. Predominantly, wealthier countries have purchased the large majority of vaccine doses, and have vaccinated their populations up to twenty-five times faster than countries with the lowest incomes.
The report highlights some eye-opening statistics:
- Only one person out of 1,914 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the 339 households interviewed reported having received a COVID-19 vaccine;
- 68% of respondents were unaware of any plans in their communities for vaccinations provisions, and 47% were unaware whether they would be eligible;
- Forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) reported increased xenophobia, hate speech, and physical and emotional attacks since the pandemic;
- 72% of respondents reported decreased incomes, 40% said they lost their jobs, and 77% said they could not meet their daily food needs, due to the pandemic.
The report calls on governments especially in refugee host countries to increase access to vaccines among the IDP/FDP communities and to explicitly reach out to those communities for vaccination regardless of their legal status.
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