ABSTRACT

More than 70 million people globally are forced to migrate for reasons such as armed conflict, persecution (political, cultural, religious, or sexual orientation), natural disasters, development projects, and human trafficking. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the precariousness of these vulnerable populations. In this chapter, we explore the different groups that comprise people on the move and examine the impact of COVID-19 and other health crises on these populations. The role of social work at the intersection of the pandemic and forced migration and broader implications for the social work profession are examined through five case studies.