COVID-19 and Climate Change

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The COVID-19 pandemic has been a siren call for stronger action in the face of global threats. What has been described as the collision of this pandemic with a series of recent extreme weather events has amplified this call, providing a frightening glimpse into the scope of the grim challenges lying in store as the effects of climate change become more prevalent and pronounced. Read more.

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Intimate Partner Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Impending Public Health Crisis in Africa

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With COVID-19 officially declared a global pandemic and changing the social, economic, and political dynam-ics worldwide, countries are taking different measures to tackle its spread to save lives, which now comes as the number one priority. Different countries are in lockdown with travel restricted and quarantine, self-isolation, and social distancing measures in place. Other than key workers who are allowed to travel for work, people are stuck at home for extended periods of time with…

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Out of Time: COVID-19 Aftershocks

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Millions of parents and caregivers have lost incomes and jobs due to COVID-19, forcing them to expose their children to harmful and dangerous circumstances such as begging or child marriage. World Vision has conducted rapid assessments in 24 countries across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia confirming alarming predictions of increased child hunger, violence, and poverty due to the economic impact of COVID-19.These assessment results give further evidence that the most vulnerable families and their…

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Responding to the Shadow Pandemic: Taking stock of gender-based violence risks and responses during COVID-19

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Gender-based violence is a problem of human rights, public health and development. It is also a problem that has had devastating effects for women and girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. This real-time emergent learning brief has been prepared for UNICEF country offices and practitioners as they respond to gender-based violence during the pandemic. Drawing on evidence from current country experiences, the brief identifies emerging risks related to gender-based violence; highlights programme responses and adaptations; and…

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Human rights, the environment and COVID-19: Key Messages

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The COVID-19 crisis reveals a clear truth about catastrophic risk in an increasingly globalized world: an effective response requires immediate, ambitious and evidence-based preventive action at the international level. To avert future global threats, including pandemics, we must protect rights to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment upon which we all depend for our health and wellbeing. A human rights-based approach to the COVID-19 crisis is also needed to address its unequal impacts on…

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Covid-19 Is a Feminist Issue

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Across the Asia-Pacific and around the globe, there is emerging evidence that Covid-19 is having a disproportionate impact on women and girls, particularly women of color, including on their economic opportunities, rights and security, and voice and leadership in decision-making. Tough measures to control the disease—such as closing businesses, restricting personal freedoms, and reducing community interaction—have caused fear, anxiety, and crushing economic uncertainty, all of which are shown to contribute to violence against women and…

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Faith Actors in the COVID-19 Response

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Faith plays a role in the lives and behaviours of 84% of the world’s population5 and faith leaders in particular can exercise considerable influence in many communities during the current crisis. Faith leaders can be a positive influence, sharing accurate information, modelling healthy behaviours and responding to the most vulnerable. However, without support and engagement, they can also support the spread of misinformation and myths about COVID-19.   Download

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Reopening schools too early could spread COVID-19 even faster – especially in the developing world

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Low-income countries face a very different set of circumstances to high-income countries when it comes to reopening schools after lockdown. In developing countries, adults and the elderly generally have more contact with children than those in advanced economies. A new study predicts that delaying school openings could save lives.   Read more

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On Wellbeing in the COVID-19 Era: Are Cash Transfers Enough?

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‘If the [cash transfer] programme stops, I have no reason to live anymore. I keep a bottle of poison on the top of my closet and I think of drinking it if things get worse’ – 80-year-old cash transfer beneficiary, Jenin, West Bank, 2016. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent development-related policy interventions, this contribution asks: what does it mean to be ‘well’? Drawing on policy-making, development economics, mental health studies and feminist…

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The COVID-19 pandemic and children 5 months on

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The UN Secretary-General has warned that, while not being “the face” of the pandemic, children could be its “biggest victims.” Indeed, what until last year was pictured as a promising “Decade of delivery” now risks turning into a “lost decade” for development. As things stand now, the pandemic could not only halt, but even reverse progress towards the 2030 Agenda. We are just beginning to understand more clearly what the potential impact of COVID-19 on…

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