In 2019, the illegal wildlife trade reached staggering levels. Pangolin scales and ivory were being trafficked in massive quantities from Africa to Asia, exposing a network of crime syndicates operating at an industrial scale. The sheer volume of these shipments marked a disturbing milestone, one that revealed the global reach …
Roughly half of all Somali households rely on remittances to cover basic needs such as food, water and basic health care. According to Somali money transfer operators (MTOs), remittances have already declined substantially since the onset of COVID-19 due to economic pressures on members of the Somali diaspora. This is …
Every society, group, and individual is vulnerable to adverse events. However, when it comes to shocks such as COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to respond is significantly lower and unequally distributed. The level of human development and its inequality, together with healthcare system capacity, can portray countries’ preparedness to respond effectively …
A clear view of the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic is only beginning to take shape, but experts estimate the human cost could be extraordinary. The economic and physical disruptions caused by the disease could have vast consequences for the rights and health of women and girls, a new analysis …
The present guidelines are in addition to guidelines on appropriate management of suspect/confirmed case of COVID-19 issued by MoHFW on 7th April, 2020. All suspected (awaiting test results) and confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease are currently being isolated and managed in a hospital setting with the intent to break the …
Two concurrent global crises—a health crisis and an economic crisis—are engulfing the world. The necessary public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic is setting in motion a globally synchronized economic recession—leaving no obvious robust engine of global growth. The humanitarian dimension of these two linked events is taking the majority …
This document is to support local authorities, leaders and policy-makers in cities and other urban settlements in identifying effective approaches and implementing recommended actions that enhance the prevention, preparedness and readiness for COVID-19 in urban settings, to ensure a robust response and eventual recovery. It covers factors unique to cities …
As countries adopt radical measures to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control, international trade and transport systems are under tremendous stress. Early evidence shows that international trade is collapsing, threatening access to goods and critical supplies. In response, a new UNCTAD policy brief outlines a ten-point action plan to help …
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Dr Blade Nzimande announced the results of the survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council of the impact and awareness of the coronavirus amongst South Africans that is currently sweeping across the world, including the country.The survey comes amidst the unprecedented …
The European Environment Agencys (EEA) data confirm large decreases in air pollutant concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations in particular largely due to reduced traffic and other activities, especially in major cities under lockdown measures. Reductions of around half have been seen in some locations.
From building global supply chains and air bridges delivering masks and medical equipment, to communicating life-saving health messages from loudspeakers mounted on cars and bicycles, aid groups large and small are supporting the world’s most vulnerable people in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Humanitarian organizations have mobilized to reach …
April 22nd is World Earth Day. Ipsos global survey on the theme shows majority of urban Indians (81%) being concerned about Climate Change and placing it at par with Covid-19 crisis, in seriousness and magnitude. Global citizens (71%) too echo the same view and are highly concerned. The survey was …
The Travel & Tourism sector faces a staggering 100 million jobs losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The startling figure, based on research from WTTC, has increased by over 30% in the last four weeks, indicating the sheer crisis affecting the …
The Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) report on food security and agriculture is developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It provides a quarterly forward-looking analysis of major disaster risks to food security and agriculture, specifically highlighting: ---- potential new emergencies resulting from imminent disaster …
Member States of the WHO European Region are at varying phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of the phase, governments and public health authorities must begin to envision, and plan for, the subsequent stages of their response strategy, with the ultimate aim of reaching and maintaining a state of low-level …
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast in January that the global economy would grow by 3.3 percent in 2020, however its latest outlook, in April, now forecasts a contraction of 3.0 percent, with no upside scenarios and numerous risks. The scenario presented in this brief predicts that if the anticipated …
The outbreak of COVID-19 has not only posed a threat to lives but also affected the world’s economy – supply chains, businesses and jobs. In response to this pandemic, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is taking several steps to ensure un-interrupted food services/supply as well as …
The COVID-19 pandemic will cause a dramatic drop in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. Multinational enterprises (MNEs), local businesses, and investment have been severely affected with far-reaching social and economic repercussions. Economic impact estimates and earnings revisions of the largest MNEs suggest that downward pressures on FDI could be in …
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is substantially impacting people’s lives and livelihoods and putting extreme stress on socioeconomic systems. International collaboration, coordination and solidarity among all is going to be key to overcoming this unprecedented global challenge. As part of efforts aimed at reducing the international spread of the virus …
The Covid-19 shock is posing unprecedented challenges to advanced country governments. But, if the challenges are huge in advanced economies, they are enormously more daunting in developing economies. The vast majority of developing countries are heavily reliant on access to the ‘hard currencies’ of advanced countries – earned primarily through …
COVID-19 is a great cause of concern globally and requires immediate actions to prevent its spread within communities. As of now, it is evident that the transmission of the disease is through direct human-to-human proximity or indirectly through contaminated surfaces. There is still no evidence that viruses which cause respiratory …
