The effects of COVID-19 on farmers and pastoralist communities

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This article argues that there is an important need for relevant stakeholders to adopt strategies aimed at reaching out to farming and pastoralist communities, if the fight for the mitigation and possible eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic is to have any meaningful effect.   Read more

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Social protection in the COVID-19 recovery: Opportunities and challenges

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COVID-19 has triggered a global economic slowdown and it seems unlikely there will be a rapid rebound in growth and a V-shaped economic recovery. Other scenarios appear more likely, the worst being an L-shaped recession with growth not recovering for several years. The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities (‘COVID-19-intensified’) and created new vulnerabilities (‘COVID-19-specific’). Social protection measures have been widely used to help address economic impacts but have varied in type and coverage (e.g. cash…

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Impacts of COVID-19 on female genital cutting

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From March 2020, early in the global COVID-19 crisis, reports began to emerge from our partners and allies that they were witnessing elevated rates of female genital cutting (FGC). In Kenya, a country making positive progress in ending the practice through political leadership, a national and county-level governance structure and civil society action, we were hearing consistent reports of girls being subjected to FGC, or fleeing their homes for fear of being cut, from various…

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Value for money of social protection and humanitarian cash transfers in the context of COVID-19

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While the value for money (VfM) of social protection and cash transfers is already well established, and existing guidance already plentiful, the COVID-19 context raises some particular issues from a VfM perspective. This short note addresses these issues and is aimed at economists, social protection and humanitarian specialists within development partner organisations, as well as policy-makers in government –anyone tasked with designing social protection responses and assessing different options, whether in concept notes, business cases,…

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Strengthening gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) during the implementation of social protection responses to COVID-19

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Social protection –and cash transfers in particular – have been widely used as a policy response to COVID-19. The aim of this document is to highlight the key gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations to be considered in the implementation of social protection, with a specific focus on cash transfers, in response to COVID-19. It provides guidance on how to ensure that the delivery of programmes aregender-sensitive, equitable, inclusive, and where possible, transformative. This…

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The COVID-19 crisis consequences: disrupting the African peace and security agenda

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This piece focuses on the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the African agenda for peace and security. Since its inception, the African Union (AU) has been focused on creating favourable conditions of peace and security as part of its broader Agenda 2063 for achieving “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena”. In adopting its Silencing the Guns flagship project in 2013,…

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COVID-19 and the impact on civil society organisations working to end violence against women and girls

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This brief is intended to inform United Nations Member States, United Nations organizations, policymakers, donors and all other partners working on preventing and ending violence against women and girls (VAW/G) about the urgent need to address surging rates of violence in the context of COVID-19. The brief provides a second assessment, following a baseline assessment in March 2020, and is intended to highlight the immediate need for resources to support women and girl survivors.  …

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Covid-19 and Fragile Contexts: Reviving Multilateralism’s Promise to “Leave No One Behind”

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Covid-19 and Fragile Contexts: Reviving Multilateralism’s Promise to “Leave No One Behind” is an Economist Intelligence Unit report, published by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Through comprehensive desk research, literature reviews and expert interviews, the report investigates the critical failures of the multilateral system in protecting fragile populations during the covid-19 pandemic. Drawing comparisons between the covid-19 response and previous global crises, the report evaluates fundamental shortcomings of the system across three pivotal areas: (1)…

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Responding to COVID-19 in Africa: Using data to find a balance (Part II)

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Six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have had to make tough decisions about how best to protect the public’s health first and foremost, while also safeguarding livelihoods and reducing the social harm that can come with bringing many society activities to a near halt. Generally, African Union (AU) Member States have confirmed fewer cases per capita compared to other regions of the world. Reported cases peaked in late July and early August—driven by the…

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Crisis? What crisis? COVID-19 and the unexpected recovery of regional trade in East Africa

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At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, such was the scale of the economic disruption caused by lockdown measures that there was much talk of the collapse of global trade. In the midst of the lockdowns, in April, the World Trade Organization estimated that the decline would amount from anywhere between 13 and 32 percent. In a similar vein, UNCTAD was forecasting a 20 percent decline in global trade for 2020. However, recently released trade…

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