Confirmation of Africa’s Historical Rejection in the Wake of Covid-19

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Historically, the African continent has been made to believe that it is not only dark and uncivilized but also less valuable to the international system. The negative narrative is traceable to Western civilization when Heorodotus related a cautionary tale about the continent following the seizure and capture of Nasamonians after days of wandering in Southern Libya. After Heorodotus’ threatening tale, subsequent European thinkers’ views of slave trade, racism and colonialism crystallized the backward and savagery…

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COVID-19, conflict and sexual violence: reversing the burden of proof

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Sexual violence in armed conflict, while prohibited by international humanitarian law, remains a brutal reality. To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Sophie Sutrich, ICRC’s Head of Addressing Sexual Violence, highlights the effects of conflict-related sexual violence on its survivors and discusses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.   Read more

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Economic impact of COVID-19: Protecting Africa’s food systems from farm to fork

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The global spread of COVID-19 and the rising number of confirmed cases in Africa have raised concerns about the weak health care systems in the region, while the lockdowns have caused economies to contract substantially. Receiving less public attention, and yet also putting at risk lives and livelihoods, is the likelihood that COVID-19 and the associated economic challenges will spill into an African food crisis if the food system cannot cope. Half of Africans already…

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COVID-19 in humanitarian contexts: no excuses to leave persons with disabilities behind!

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This collection and review of evidence aims to illustrate how the COVID-19 crisis triggers disproportionate risks and barriers for men, women, boys and girls with disabilities living in humanitarian settings. It highlights recommendations for humanitarian actors, to enhance inclusive action, aligned with existing guidance and learnings on disability inclusion. It is based on evidence, including testimonies, collected by HI programs in 19 countries of intervention. Special efforts were made to reflect the voices of persons…

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COVID-19 and the promise of food system innovation

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The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns that followed have disrupted private food supply chains and the public support systems the poor rely on for food and good nutrition. But these problems have also triggered many creative and entrepreneurial responses. Corinna Hawkes of the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, reviews a variety of the proliferating innovations by governments, businesses, and communities to get food to the people who need it. She also…

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Social safety nets are crucial to the COVID-19 response. Some lessons to boost their effectiveness

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The poor and other vulnerable groups are suffering the most negative consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, many governments are rapidly expanding social protection programs. Dan Gilligan describes why safety nets are essential tools in this global emergency, and provides specific recommendations on how these programs can be adapted and implemented to increase their immediate effectiveness—and provide a bridge to faster recovery of households, communities, and national economies.   Read more

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COVID-19 policies not backed by data do more harm than good

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As countries “reopen” in this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, most do so in the dark, using either poor and inaccurate data or worse – no data at all – to inform policies that can in some cases decide who lives and dies. The common phrase, data over dogma, is often heard from scientists and citizens alike. But is there enough data to drive informed decision-making? Many countries have lacked evidence-based COVID-19 policies due to the scarcity…

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Economic Inclusion for the Poorest andCOVID-19: Adaptation and Early Priorities for Medium-and Longer-Term Recovery

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Economic inclusion programs for the poorest show strong potential as part of integrated policy responses focused on containing the pandemic, ensuring food security, and supporting medium-term recovery. This note considers initial adaptations and early priorities in economic inclusion programs to support medium-and longer-term recovery efforts. The note is intended to be a resource for policy makers and practitioners faced with the dual challenge of adapting existing programs in response to a pandemic and ensuring the…

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COVID-19 Rumours as Transcripts of Resistance in South Sudan

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The South Sudanese Eye Radio reported that South Sudan is likely to be the most dangerous country in the world for people infected by COVID-19. Additional reports, including the International Growth Centre’s recent brief, suggest that the economic impact of the COVID-19 induced lockdowns in Sub-Saharan Africa will perhaps be the most significant threat to the continent. Worsening matters, South Sudan’s oil reserves will likely run dry within the next 10-years and the COVID-19 virus has…

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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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