The National Interagency Working Group (NIAWG) on Unaccompanied, Separated and Migrant Children in South Africa would like to commend the Government of South Africa for its stance towards curbing and reducing the spread of COVID-19.

The NIAWG would like to take this opportunity to emphasise that in its response the Government of South Africa should ensure that all children regardless of their country of origin or immigration status are protected and included in light of the unique impact of the declaration of a State of Disaster on vulnerable children. Such a response would be in line with the South African Constitution, as well as the four main principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which are non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; survival and development of the child; and child participation. Every day vulnerable unaccompanied, separated and migrant children - including citizen, migrant, refugee, asylum seeker and stateless children (“USMCs") face unspeakable threats to their safety and well-being even in the absence of a pandemic. For many of these girls and boys, access to basic health care and facilities is extremely limited, while cramped living conditions make social distancing unfeasible. In light of the COVID-19 crisis these children are at heightened risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence amidst intensifying containment measures.

The NIAWG calls on all concerned stakeholders and authorities to make every effort to prevent any form of harm and discrimination during the State of Disaster. The NIAWG highly commends the measures that government took through the Department of Home Affairs in ensuring that anyone whose permit expires prior to the end of lockdown will not be penalised as long as they present themselves to an RRO within 30 days of the lockdown ending. Including the closure of the RROs to prevent putting refugees and asylum seekers at risk of close confines, for protracted periods and the known efforts to develop remote processing of asylum and refugee documentation.

It is however, worth to further note that where USMCs are undocumented their vulnerability is increased and their access to basic human rights and services are particularly limited. USMCs in this category are most vulnerable to harm and infection with COVID-19. These children are usually reluctant to seek medical and other assistance due to their lack of documentation for fear of possible arrest, detention and even deportation. Therefore, the inclusion of all USMCs in the Government’s response to COVID-19 is imperative, because if they are not protected and included, the Government’s efforts to flatten the curve is compromised. This principle should be communicated to all South Africans, including government employees, to avoid any discriminatory sentiments that may undermine the national efforts to fight against the pandemic. It is paramount that all response measures are implemented with the best interest of the child in mind. In this period of massive containment and limited movement USMCs, like the majority of children in South Africa, are exposed to heightened risk of violence in the home, being forced to be in close contact with perpetrators of the violence or abuse. It is key that the work of organisations that work to ensure adequate protection of these children are allowed the necessary permission to keep in contact with at risk children.

Finally, the NIAWG notes that it is undeniable that the spread of COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the income earning capacity of many worldwide, the same impact does not exempt USMCs especially those who are in child headed households. It is therefore imperative that USMCs are included in economic safety net measures that may be introduced to mitigate the effect of loss of income caused by the effects of COVID-19. Leaving this category of our society out of our national response safety nets may necessitate negative coping strategies among these vulnerable members of our societies. Hence, NIAWG emphasises that effective response would and should consider the economic impact of the pandemic on migrant families and USMCs.