COVID-19 pandemic: humanitarian concerns and negative impact of unilateral sanctions and their exemptions

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The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a global challenge to the world community and the whole system of individual and collective human rights, including the rights to life, to personal security, to be free from suffering and discrimination, to fair trial, to due process, freedoms of opinion, expression, assembly, association, and religion and belief, to property, to health, to food, to decent labour, to freedom from poverty, to access information, to education and to development. It also…

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Bridging the Gap: Emerging Private Sector Response and Recovery Measures for Gender Equality amid COVID-19

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As COVID-19 widens global gender gaps, IFC and UN Women have partnered to showcase a growing number of companies and or-ganizations around the world that are taking action to ensure the economic inclusion and social well-being of their employees, customers, and suppliers, as well as local communities. This report aims to inform companies around the world on emerg-ing practices and initiatives for supporting women employees, entrepreneurs and those in value chains amid the pandemic. It…

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How a climate-smart COVID-19 recovery could lead to a more resilient Africa

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The author of this article argues that Africa’s response to the COVID-19 crisis should, and could, be used as an opportunity to build resilience to future economic shocks. This cannot be achieved by continuing to rely on fossil fuel markets. Historically low (or even negative) oil prices show that further investment will only lock countries into economies vulnerable to volatile fuel costs. Alarm bells are likely to ring for a while in Angola, Nigeria, Algeria…

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Categorising the Gendered Harms to Caregivers During Humanitarian Emergencies: An Analysis of Law and Practice During Ebola Crises

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Recent global health emergencies have highlighted the critical role of health care workers in stemming the spread of pandemics. Healthcare workers provide an essential service to local communities impacted by epidemics such as Ebola. Global health scholars suggest that carers may suffer harm while performing this essential work. Building on feminist theories of ‘harm’ and ‘social reproduction’, this article uses as case studies the early 21st century Ebola epidemics that broke out in West Africa…

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COVID-19 and Violence against Women and Children: A Third Research Round Up for the 16 Days of Activism

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This year, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence comes at a time when there is un-precedented global attention on violence against women and children (VAW/C). The theme of “Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect!” puts a focus on the need for increased financing to support survivors and prevent future violence, as well as the importance of data collection, rigorous analysis and research to guide effective financing and policy decision making. Seeking to prevent a…

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Coronavirus as a Catalyst for Global Civil Society

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The coronavirus pandemic has placed acute stress and high expectations on governments around the world. Much has been written on a return to big government. The focus on government responses is understandable, as citizens have looked to authorities for effective responses—and often, these responses have made the difference between life and death. Yet, the pandemic has had a profound impact not only on government policies but also on societies. The crisis has played out at…

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COVID-19 Refugees Return to Schooling Guidelines

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This document aims to provide practical suggestions – for UNHCR operations and partners – on how the specific needs of refugee children, youth and families can be addressed as schools begin to re-open. It complements and draws on detailed guidance issued by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Global Education Cluster, other UN agencies and NGOs and includes links to key resources. Ensuring a safe and full return to schooling by refugee children and youth depends on…

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COVID-19, the Environment, and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better

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Key messages: Governments around the world have invested about $12 trillion to counteract the economic effects of COVID-19. This investment could contribute to progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)and global climate targets if invested within a framework that supports both socioeconomic recovery and sustainability. Expenditures must be monitored to deliver multiple benefits simultaneously and guide rebuilding better. COVID-19 increases poverty and limits access to food. The right to food is a basic human right…

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Children with disabilities: Ensuring their Inclusion in COVID-19 Response Strategies and Evidence Generation

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How are children with disabilities faring during the covid-19 pandemic? What added challenges are children with disabilities facing in the current crisis? Are children with disabilities accessing online learning? How are families of children with disabilities coping with the socioeconomic fallout? Several months into the COVID-19 crisis, the questions above remain largely unanswered. However, evidence is beginning to emerge that points to increased risks for children with disabilities as well as reduced access to services….

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A more inclusive post-Covid-19 world for persons with disabilities – how humanitarians can play their part

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One billion people live with a disability. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities provides a key opportunity to highlight the issues they face and take stock of how the humanitarian sector can play its part in building a more inclusive post-Covid-19 world. This is an urgent challenge. People with disabilities already face multiple risks to their health, safety, food security and livelihoods, and are disproportionally affected in humanitarian emergencies. These difficulties are compounded by…

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