Equity and Protection, World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, International Monetary Fund, Lancet, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria
development

Organisations. World Health Organization WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières, International Monetary Fund IMF, Lancet
Period. 27 April – 3 May 2020

Disruptions in anti-malaria programs could lead to surging incidence of malaria in endemic regions, according to the WHO. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, malaria deaths could jump to 769,000. In Nigeria’s Kano state, where local transmission of COVID-19 has been reported, officials have attributed a sharp increase in deaths due to malaria, diabetes and meningitis. The Democratic Republic of Congo has meanwhile requested international support as it faces three simultaneous medical emergencies with Ebola, measles, and COVID-19.

Médecins Sans Frontières described the “devil’s choice” that countries and aid organizations are confronted with in attempting to balance COVID-19 preparation and response, while maintaining vaccination programs. More than 117 million children are at risk of missing the measles vaccine as 21 countries so far have reported vaccine shortages due to travel and trade restrictions. The WHO has meanwhile requested additional air capacity due to supply disruptions, as the IMF and WTO held a joint briefing urging countries to lift trade restrictions on medical and food supplies.

A new study by the UN Fund for Population Activities warns that six months of lockdown could take a major toll on the rights of women and girls, and contribute to 31 million cases of gender-based violence and 7 million additional unintended pregnancies. Many countries have already reported significant spikes in domestic violence, including in Latin America where community organizations have described it as “another pandemic.” The UNAIDS also expressed ‘extreme concern’ about the targeting and abuse of LGBTI persons, including reports that government and religious leaders are spreading misinformation about COVID-19 that has incited violence and discrimination.

According to a paper in the Lancet, prisons remain a hotspot but “in no way equipped” to deal with COVID-19. Among the estimated 11 million global prison population, Human Rights Watch raised particular concerns about the conditions in Latin America where prisons remain overcrowded, and lack adequate sanitation and access to health services. Densely populated peri-urban environments such as slums and informal settlements are also acutely vulnerable, including Brazil’s favelas – home to an estimated 13 million people – where the absence of government support and lack of control measures have raised concerns of possible uncontrolled outbreaks. Human rights groups have also raised concerns about the lack of government support to indigenous communities in Brazil, contending with widespread infections and its economic impacts.

This development is part of the digest;