As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage is several parts of the world, UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, has cautioned about vaccine deficit, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

The agency urged immediate and robust support for the COVAX initiative in order to have equitable access to vaccines against COVID-19, including for refugees and those seeking asylum. 

UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic said that this is important to save lives and control the virus’ impact, especially in the developing countries. While countries in the Asia-Pacific regionare home to a vast majority of over 80 million forcibly displaced individuals globally, they have been able to receive the benefit from only a fraction of the world’s COVID-19 vaccinations, stated the agency… (UN, June 1, 2021)