The lack of a comprehensive social protection system in the country, already compounded by lack of access to livelihoods and alternatives and further exacerbated by COVID-19, resulted in persons of concern resorting to negative coping mechanisms and protection risks such as self-restricting from accessing essential services, using child labour or child marriage. Some 8,700 vulnerable persons at heightened risk could not be provided with cash assistance, in kind or referral, due to lack of funding.
Reported growing indebtedness and high incidences of child labour and forced/early marriage continue to be seen as the pandemic has left families economically vulnerable. 1,190 protection monitoring missions could not be implemented, leaving protection needs of some 30,000 vulnerable persons unassessed and unaddressed.
Despite ongoing efforts by the operation to provide necessary reintegration support in the Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration (PARRs), lack of livelihood opportunities and access to basic services – particularly land, shelter, education and health services – remain a key challenge causing secondary movement and negative coping mechanisms. Some 280,000 people have not received improved access to education, health and community infrastructure due to lack of funds. Livelihood support could not be provided to some 2,800 vulnerable persons exposing them to prolonged protection risks and use of negative coping mechanisms.
Capacity was limited for protection assessments at border crossing points to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The protection needs of some 155,417 people were not assessed and some 970,000 vulnerable persons were not assisted with COVID-19 related sanitation and awareness raising activities.
Permanent shelter is a key need for IDPs, however 400 families with 2,800 family members have not received support to construct housing due to lack of funding.