Coronavirus has crippled all aspects of normalcy in people’s lives and the economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), despite the region being relatively spared larger outbreaks as seen in other parts of the world. But the deficits in basic services and social protection shortfalls, or decent and dignified work, means we must be braced for things to …
The role of trust in tackling coronavirus in the world’s most vulnerable communities
Trust may be one of the most important resources the world must draw on as we grapple with an unprecedented health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Whilst recorded cases and deaths due to the virus are on the rise across Africa and in many countries in Asia, preventative lockdown and curfew measures are already taking a toll …
With coronavirus spreading, time to repurpose the arms industry to meet human need
All over the world we have radically changed our ways of life as the devastating spread of coronavirus transforms our communities. Governments’ priorities have changed overnight, things that seemed impossible only weeks ago are now seeing urgent action. Homeless people have been rehoused quickly. Passenger planes whose flights could not possibly be reduced in the face of climate breakdown are suddenly grounded. …
Gaza businesswomen are between coronavirus and a concrete ceiling
While the Coronavirus pandemic has hit almost every country on the planet, people living in the Gaza Strip are exhausted from having to find ways to navigate the paralysis of 13 years of blockade, recurrent escalations of violence and an atrophied economy. A 45% unemployment rate in 2019 in a Strip where 65% of Gaza’s population is under the age …
Coronavirus is jeopardizing the incomes of small-scale farmers
Why now is the time for companies to step up to their commitment to higher farmer incomes. In this unprecedented time full of uncertainty, two things are clear. First, the Coronavirus pandemic is not only a global health but also an economic crisis. Second, the pandemic disproportionately harms the most vulnerable groups. As a result, up to half a billion …