Briefing Paper: A Practical Approach to Prevent, Address and Document Domestic Violence under COVID-19

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This briefing paper analyses successful interventions to make key programmatic recommendations for grassroots organisations working on the frontlines of gender and the COVID-19 crisis, as well as policy recommendations for the international community. The first part of this briefing paper gives programmatic recommendations for local and national organisations for preventing, addressing, and documenting domestic violence. The second chapter sets out key recommendations for governments, UN Agencies, and international organisations, in aspects of funding, policy-making, and…

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COVID-19 and Gender-based Violence in Conflict: New Challenges and Persistent Problems

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PSRP research on gender-based violence and its relationship to conflict includes useful insights on the likely impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions in conflict-affected settings. This blog distils some of the most pertinent insights from PSRP research, drawing in particular on Jessica Doyle and Monica McWilliams pathbreaking longitudinal study of the impact on women’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) of the formal end to conflict in Northern Ireland; Aisling Swaine’s comparative study of the evolution…

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COVID-19 in humanitarian crises: A double emergency

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The International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) analysis and approach to COVID-19 draws on decades of experi-ence as a humanitarian and health responder in the world’s most complex crises, including as one of the largest responders to the Ebola outbreaks in West Africa and the DRC and Cholera in Yemen – the largest outbreaks of the diseases in modern history. IRC’s experience finds conflict-affected and fragile countries face a double emergency: 1. The direct impact of COVID-19…

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OPINION: Migration and COVID-19 in Uganda: The challenges of urban refugees

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On 22 March, Uganda confirmed its first case of Covid-19. So far 55 cases have been found in the country. To contain the spread of the virus, President Yoweri Museveni ordered the closure of schools and all places allowing for public gatherings, including bars, non-food markets and shopping malls. Public transport and use of vehicles have also been banned and a night-time curfew put in place. The social distancing rule, initially the usual 1,5 meters,…

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Context matters – Why Africa should tailor its own measures to fight COVID-19

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This brief identifies political, economic and social risks related to coronavirus responses in Africa and emphasises the disproportionate burden carried by women. It argues that localised measures, which include dialogue, transparency and flexibility, may be the only realistic way forward, while underlining the need for wealthier states to provide generous aid packages, debt cancellations and continued investments, in spite of current challenges, in order for Africa to pull through yet another challenge.   Read more

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African countries are leading the way on preventing Covid-19 debt crises

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In this comment, Jesse Griffiths argues that to avoid a devastating debt crisis across the developing world sparked by Covid-19, debtor countries will have to stand together and negotiate hard with creditors to agree necessary debt standstills, restructurings and debt cancellation. Promising signs are emerging that African countries are beginning to provide this necessary leadership. This week, G20 leaders agreed to suspend debt repayments for 76 of the world’s poorest countries until the end of…

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South Sudan: Trends in Communication Preferences and Modalities

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REACH put together this brief to summarize key findings on trends in communication preferences and modalities from past REACH assessments. The key finding is that disseminating information about COVID-19 should adopt a multi-channel messaging strategy and work through existing community communication structures. It was reported to REACH that community information sources generally do not change during an emergency  

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Moral multi-tasking in the COVID-19 response

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Hugo Slim argues that as the global aid community continues to scale up and adapt to the worldwide emergency around COVID-19, it is rightly engaging with different layers of moral decision-making to agree what is an ethically good response and not just a quick reaction.   Read more

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COVID-19: Four ways peacebuilders can respond

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At International Alert, as in every other peacebuilding organisation around the world, they are emerging from our initial shock at the speed at which the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has swept the globe. In this blog post, Rebecca Crozier is providing four ways of how peacebuilders can respond.   Read more

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Briefing: What’s behind South Sudan’s COVID-19 inspired UN-backlash

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South Sudan reported its first four cases of coronavirus last week – all UN staff members – and the news quickly triggered a xenophobic backlash that has amped up tensions and restricted the movement of aid agencies. Obi Anyadike addresses South Sudan’s vulnerability to COVID-19, the reasons for this xenophobia, as well as the impact of the crisis on the peace process.   Read more

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