The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the elderly in Africa

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It is now clear that the elderly is the age demographic most vulnerable to COVID-19. It is estimated that the disease kills 13.4% of patients aged 80 and older, 8.6% of those in their 70s, 4% in their 60s and 1.25% of those in their 50s. However, this data comes primarily from developed countries with resilient healthcare systems. In less-developed countries, which have shorter life expectancies, high levels of pre-existing conditions known to worsen outcomes…

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Without face-to-face meetings, what does peace building look like during COVID-19?

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As COVID-19 cases continue to climb in many regions worldwide, some fragile countries face ongoing conflict at the same time. Civil society organizations and networks in conflict countries such as Afghanistan and Yemen are getting creative with their advocacy efforts, finding new ways to appeal directly to warring parties and press for peace. “Where programs have been able to continue and where social-distancing measures are in place, peace building is harder to do. There is a…

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The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the women, peace and security agenda in Africa

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Women-led organisations that are dealing with peace, security and development are playing a key role in developing policies, strategies and guidelines for gender-responsive actions to prevent and combat COVID-19, and in post-COVID-19 recovery.   Read more

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Can a virus accelerate change in Africa?

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African intellectuals are calling for a different discussion about how to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Isn’t this the right time to propel changes that have often been postponed? African leaders fall easily into response mode, not to the crises they face but to the advice they receive. Perhaps COVID-19 can herald structural transformation in the continent. Admitting this is too good a crisis to be allowed to go to waste, here are five reasons…

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Enabling agricultural innovation systems to promote appropriate technologies and practices for farmers, rural youth and women during COVID-19

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will vary for different groups of rural population, with the highest impact expected to be on farmers and other vulnerable groups, especially women and youth. Targeted support is feasible only by activating a network of actors or organizations within agricultural innovation systems (AIS) and promoting customized technologies and practices suitable for location specific contexts. AIS actors include experts engaged in agricultural education, research (public and private), business enterprises (agricultural…

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COVID-19 effects are hitting children the hardest

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While children seem to be less affected by the Coronavirus directly, the impact of the pandemic as a whole is devastating for children in South Sudan. The COVID-19 situation in the country is rapidly evolving. Therefore, the humanitarian community has taken a closer look at the situation for children to identify specific needs and gaps and solutions for how to address them.   Read more

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Covid-19 Pandemic Threatens Progress on Child Labor

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The number of children involved in child labor worldwide has dropped dramatically over the past two decades, falling by nearly 40 percent. Tens of millions of children have transitioned from work into school, helping to break cycles of poverty and ensure brighter futures. But this remarkable trend is in grave jeopardy due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s World Day against Child Labor, celebrated every June 12, is occurring during widespread lockdowns and school closures,…

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Sahel Crisis: Responding to the urgent needs of refugees, internally displaced, returnees and others of concern

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The central Sahel region—Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—is facing a severe humanitarian and protection crisis.Massive displacement, most of it driven by intense and largely indiscriminate violence perpetrated by a range of armed actors against civilian populations, is taking place across the region. While internal displacement is on the rise substantial numbers of refugees have fled to neighboring countries, and the situation risks spilling over into the coastal countries of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo….

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Peacekeeping in the shadow of COVID-19 era

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COVID-19 has had an immediate impact on UN peace operations. Troop rotations have been frozen, and interactions with local populations minimized. Yet the long-term economic and political consequences for peacekeeping look more severe.   Read more

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COVID-19 Impact on Trafficking in Persons – A Protection, Gender & Inclusion (PGI) Factsheet

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This factsheet is intended as a quick reference tool to support National Societies to consider how the Covid-19 global pandemic may place communities at increased risk of trafficking, how it may impact trafficked persons and provide advice on practical actions that can be taken to respond and mitigate risks.   Download

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