While much remains uncertain, it is clear COVID-19 is both a multidimensional crisis and an opportunity for change. Addressing the multidimensional risks of the pandemic and the way they interact will be key to miti-gating the overall impacts of the disease. Due to the conflict-inducing policy responses to COVID-19 that have emerged during the first half of 2020, the way in which peacebuilding approaches are integrated into national and international responses in future will be critical not only for the success of those responses, but also to un-derstand whether they support peace or might exacerbate new or existing grievances already triggered by the pandemic. This Brief summarises ten framing aspects of the COVID-19 crisis. It also offers three prescriptive implications for international actors responding to it.