On 30th June 2020, a panel discussion was conducted by Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism [GRFDT], on the topic, “The Pandemic in Africa: local responses and global strategies.”
Amanda Bisong is a policy officer in the migration program at the European Centre for Developmental Policy Management in the Netherlands. Her current research focus is on the Regional Management Governance in West Africa.
Member State Responses
Amanda Bisong stated that when we look at 4 different responses that states have implemented, they are harmonized measures in order to deal with a pandemic crisis. She said, “the primary response deals with information and communication, collecting and sharing information among communities. The Echo regions in the country are coordinating and making collective actions to pool in resources using joint structure together in the region”. “The bubbles were made that allowed the cross-border communities to carry the trade activities. The border communities identified by 8 KM after the borders anyone living in these areas are able to move freely across the border area but later paused. Cross border agencies such as customs, immigrants are involved in keeping supply chains running of essential goods and services. They implemented a joint testing mechanism”, added Amanda Bisong.
Socio- Economic Implications
Amanda Bisong, pointed out the effects of Pandemic and local responses with the regional perspectives. Bisong stated that “there are direct and indirect socio-economic implications on vulnerable migrant groups. The socio- economic implications due to COVID-19 followed by strict lockdowns have brought the cross border trades on halt. These cross border trades are important as livelihood depends on it, in West Africa”. Further she added, “The female migrants or female cross borders traders carry produced commodities over the cross borders markets which are the key source of livelihood but disrupted because of lockdown”.
Internal Conflicts & Displaced People
On the dynamics of inter-regional movements, Amanda Bisong said, “the worst affected are internal migrants. We have 84 % of migrant workers working within the region, which means inter regional movements are also affected”. She said, “the worst hit are displaced people in the region due to internal conflict such as Boko Haram conflicts in Nigeria, terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, which makes them more vulnerable as they cannot flee from that region”.
Implication on Remittances
According to Bisong, the World Bank has estimated 23% of remittances reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa but in West Africa there are a lot of countries dependent on remittance. So for a country like Nigeria remittances amount to 7 times the official development assistance received in countries like Gambia, Leone. “The remittance accounts for more than 15 to 20% of GDP; this will affect these countries severely. It will have implications on livelihoods which might slip them into poverty, it is estimated 40 million people in Africa might slip in poverty”, further added.
She concluded by making a case in which she said, “the low skilled migrants must be included in regular legal mobility schemes. She reasoned that only high skilled African migrants are included in it. The low skilled migrants group has helped Europe to maintain the stability during COVID- 19”.
Snehal Mutha, a journalist just doing her little and loves to read books, finds her peace in food. https://twitter.com/SnehalMutha?s=08