COVID- 19 and its Effects on Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Children Aged 12-17 Years at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe

Refugee, asylum seekers, and migrant (displaced) children are at protracted vulnerability levels, COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation. Zimbabwe accepts refugees but enforces an encampment policy, displaced populations encamped Tongogara Refugee Camp (TRC). The research gap is that there very little literature on in Zimbabwe. objectives for study were to explore challenges refugees, TRC face, ascertain how affected TRC, propose solutions these challenges. This relied upon a mixed method of quantitative qualitative approach considering immediacy pandemic. Secondary data referred from published articles organizational reports. population size 2,304 aged 12 17 was obtained through United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR)’s January 2021 statistics TRC. A 10% sample 230 respondents selected. Non-probability sampling techniques used administering questionnaire individual focus group interviews, which fed into KoBo Toolbox. Data cleaning analysis conducted, with SPSS NViVo analysis, respectively. Ethical considerations consent, confidentiality, do no harm, statements withdraw employed. process involved strict observance World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines COVID-19. conducted between April 2020 February 2021. Results showed suffered spectrum before During period, had limited access child protection services, experienced increased conflicts home, formal learning entertainment: their already dire situation by recommends upgrade local secondary school advanced level status, adoption educational innovations lieu pandemic, including radio, television, virtual platforms; improved mechanisms; accommodation; dietary diversity; water sanitation hygiene; provision electricity; adequate street lighting; activities entertainment; increasing awareness against abuse gender-based violence (GBV).