Refugees have been shown to be particularly negatively impacted in many countries as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Existing structures of violence and insecurity has worsened by the immediate consequences of the pandemic through policy responses which largely ignore their needs whether by excluding them from targeted COVID-19 mitigation measures, or by imposing restrictions which directly impact on their well-being. Illustrated through the experiences of refugee women in Durban, South Africa, the paper identifies that COVID-19 has exacerbated their insecurities and intensified structural violence which renders them vulnerable.