‘Crisis in a Crisis’ in Humanitarian Response Locations at Dadhaleh Institute

‘Crisis in a Crisis’ in Humanitarian Response Locations

Yemen, the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, is hit by once-in-a generation floods that have leave over 5 million children facing the threat of cholera and acute diarrhea. More than 110,000 cases of [... ]just over two minutes.

Yemen, the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, is hit by once-in-a generation floods that have leave over 5 million children facing the threat of cholera and acute diarrhea. More than 110,000 cases of suspected cholera have been recorded across 90% of regions in Yemen since January. More than a million displaced Yemenis and refugees are currently in need of urgent critical aid, as another report by the Lebanon Protection Consortium examines the impact of regional lockdowns on Syrian refugees in Informal Tented Settlements residents in Lebanon. The UNHCR warns that a looming humanitarian crisis is unfolding in South Sudan. Years of conflict, recent natural disasters like floods and locust swarm, as well as the looming threat from COVID-19 leave 1.7 million displaced people in crowded sites with poor sanitary conditions and limited or no access to health facilities are struggling to meet basic needs. Aid organizations have described the “impossible” challenge of COVID-19 response in humanitarian response locations. In refugee camps such as Cox Bazaar, Bangladesh, there are particular difficulties in enforcing social distancing and hand washing practices, as UNICEF attempts to scale up delivery of health and hygiene supplies to Latin American and Caribbean countries. A COVID-19 Humanitarian Plan for Afghanistan is seeking US$108 million to reach a third of the country, as more than 7 million children are expected to face food shortages due to the current pandemic. This is in addition to the $733 million that the UN and humanitarian partners are seeking as part of the Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan to provide water, sanitation and hygiene kits and tailored hygiene promotion activities. A report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction yesterday raised alarm that COVID-19 could alsoderail peace talks, as the country is likely to confront a 'health disaster' through the end of the year. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 700 million people (10% of the world’s population) across 30-40 countries remain acutely vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19. An estimated US$90 billion is needed to provide income support, protect against starvation, and support a systematic health response for the world’s most vulnerable people. This represents about 1% of the approximately US$8 trillion stimulus packages that G20 countries have put in place to safeguard their own economies. In partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Geneva Centre for Education and Research in Humanitarian Action, OCHA yesterday released a Rapid Learning Review that outlines 14 actions, insights and ideas for humanitarian actors to consider in their COVID-19 responses synthesizing the best available knowledge and guidance. A coalition of academic institutions also released a set of 14 Principles in Protecting Migrants, Refugees and other Displaced Populations signed by over 800 international experts, as the WHO this week issued an Interim Guidance on Preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 for refugees and migrants in non-camp settings.

related to YemenLebanonBangladeshAfghanistan

‘Incomes Virtually Stopped Overnight’, Threaten Global Food Insecurity

An alarming new report by the ILO estimates that nearly half of the global workforce, more than 1.6 billion people, could lose their livelihoods due to COVID-19 related reductions in global trade [... ]just over two minutes.

An alarming new report by the ILO estimates that nearly half of the global workforce, more than 1.6 billion people, could lose their livelihoods due to COVID-19 related reductions in global trade and increased lockdown control measures. The report projects that lost income could total US$3.4 trillion this year, as the equivalent of 200 million full-time jobs have or will disappear since the start of the pandemic. The staggering figures include many informal workers that may lack worker benefits or social protection, and push upwards of 500 million people into poverty. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a Guidance for countries to adopt strategies that protection homeless people, as the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights raised the likelihood that extreme poverty will increase for the first time in 20 years that is threatening 40 to 60 million people globally. With incomes virtually stopping overnight in some countries, the UN Global Network Against Food Crisis warns that as many as 265 million people around the world may suffer from food insecurity and possible starvation. This includes the half a billion smallholder farmers that produce almost 80% of food consumed in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Some countries have turned to cash payments to support the poor, including Pakistan where the government announced US$900 million in emergency funds for over 80 million people. Many countries such as Bangladesh are confronted by increasing public protests due to lockdowns. In Malawi, the High Court set aside plans for a COVID-19 lockdown pending a review within seven days, as protestors against the lockdown carried placards declaring that it would be better to contract the virus than die of hunger because they are unable to work. The WHO has also expressed concern of community spread in West Africa, as multiple countries have issued targeted lockdowns and curfews in major cities in addition to restrictions on inter-urban travel, stopping short of nationwide lockdowns. With a looming recession and ballooning debt obligations in many developing countries, the IMF urged donor countries to support economic stimulus packages to address the immediate and long-term hunger impact. UN OCHA also states that about 700 million people (10% of the world’s population) are most vulnerable and concentrated in about 30 to 40 countries which already receive humanitarian assistance and will see a big drop in incomes as the virus spreads and governments impose restrictive measures and lock downs. They estimate that US$90 billion would be needed to provide income support, protect against starvation, and support a systematic health response for the world’s most vulnerable people. This represents 1% of the approximately US$8 trillion stimulus packages that the IMF states G20 countries have put in place to safeguard their own economies. The World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility will meanwhile provide a modest $200 million in pandemic bonds to 64 low- and middle-income countries to finance COVID-19 related medical and personal protective equipment, medicines and support for frontline health workers.

related to AsiaAfricaPakistanBangladesh

Vulnerable Communities Facing Multiple and Converging Crises

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 [... ]less than two minutes.

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.

related to BrazilNigeriaDemocratic Republic of the Congo

‘Like No Pathogen Humanity Has Ever Seen’, Science

A paper in Nature this week reports that Chinese scientists discovered RNA of the virus in tiny droplets in Wuhan hospitals, raising the possibility of airborne transmission. The range of clinical manifestations [... ]a minute and a bit.

A paper in Nature this week reports that Chinese scientists discovered RNA of the virus in tiny droplets in Wuhan hospitals, raising the possibility of airborne transmission. The range of clinical manifestations in patients that test positive for COVID-19 remains a public health challenge, with some remaining asymptomatic while others die quickly. Despite the more than 1,000 papers that are published every week, a Science articles concludes that a “clear picture is elusive, as the virus acts like no pathogen humanity has ever seen.” The CDC this week added six new symptoms that may be linked with COVID-19. These include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and a loss of taste or smell – in addition to previously listed symptoms (fever, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing). The number of cases in Russia has surged past 100,000 following a record daily increase that included its Prime Minister testing positive. The Prime Minister of Japan has also suggested the country is likely to extend the state of emergency past May 4. Yesterday, Chile announced that it will back away from plans to distribute immunity cards following warnings by the WHO of the lack of evidence of ‘sufficient immunity’ to COVID-19 that would prevent reinfection. In its daily briefing, the WHO also has urged countries to be vigilant and to avoid prematurely lifting control measures as early evidence of sero-epidemiological data suggests a significant proportion of infected people may have been missed by surveillance measures.

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Under-estimating COVID-related mortalities

Deaths that are definitively ascribed to COVID-19 are typically in severely ill people who have tested positive for the virus in a hospital. Studies now suggest that many more COVID-19 related mortalities [... ]one minute.

Deaths that are definitively ascribed to COVID-19 are typically in severely ill people who have tested positive for the virus in a hospital. Studies now suggest that many more COVID-19 related mortalities may not be accounted for if these occurred among people were not tested or who died at home or in a nursing home. Estimates vary on the disparity between official reported mortality and what experts believe may be the true mortality rate. One study from Italy suggests that the number of deaths were two times higher than reported) – more than double the reported figure. The head of the public health authority in Germany yesterday also reported an increase in excess mortality. A 14-country analysis that was commissioned by the Financial Times estimates that the death toll from COVID-19 could be 60% higher than official reports when comparing overall fatalities with baseline mortality in the previous five years. Another study by a team from Yale analyzed how many mortalities would have been expected in the first five weeks in the U.S. without the pandemic, concluding that the official figures were likely off by a factor of two. The researchers also warn of widespread reports of people with serious illnesses avoiding hospitals, which could furthermore under-estimate the true impact of COVID-19 on health systems globally.

‘The second wave is in our hands’: WHO

The doubling rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped to once every 21 days from a high of once every 7 days on April 1. As some countries experience stabilizing or declining national [... ]a minute and a half.

The doubling rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases dropped to once every 21 days from a high of once every 7 days on April 1. As some countries experience stabilizing or declining national death tolls, it has prompted attempts to loosen lockdown measures. This includes France, Italy and Spain, three of the world’s hardest hit countries (accounting for 20% of cases and a third of all COVID-related deaths worldwide). Germany is begun to relax lockdown measures, as face masks have become mandatory in public. The National Health Service of the United Kingdom set out a six-week plan to ‘return to normal’ following projections that the U.K. has ‘likely survived the first wave’ of the pandemic and will get close to testing targets. Despite a record daily increase in confirmed cases,South Africa restarted some mining operations, as India has also begun to ease lockdown measures following a drop in reported As some Asian-Pacific countries such as Singapore experience major outbreaks in the second wave of transmission, hospitals across Europe have raised concerns. The WHO noted that many states also do not have adequate testing capacity needed to support a safe reopening strategy that can detect, trace and isolate new COVID transmission. China has meanwhile provided a guide on how countries can prevent a second wave, including compulsory masks in public, fines for failure to exercise public hygiene practices, as well as public markings for social distancing lanes. The LSHTM is gathering data on hundreds of intervention measures from around the world to determine factors contributing to disease outbreak as well as relative effectiveness of control strategies. For example, to date, Hong Kong’s swift surveillance, quarantine and social-distancing measures - such as the use of face masks and school closures - helped to cut Coronavirus transmission with only 4 deaths in a (urban) population of 7.5 million. The LSHTM platform is being developed to support the WHO’s technical support to member states, and includes more than 1,100 volunteers, multiple universities, public health organizations and non-profits, including ACAPS which analyses humanitarian crises.

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Ensuring Equitable Access to Treatment

Arguing that “as long as anyone is at risk from this virus, the entire world is at risk” and the urgent need to “accelerate the strengthening of sustainable health systems”, the WHO [... ]less than a minute.

Arguing that “as long as anyone is at risk from this virus, the entire world is at risk” and the urgent need to “accelerate the strengthening of sustainable health systems”, the WHO launched a new initiative this past week to accelerate the innovative development, production and equitable access to new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. The Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator aims to strengthen global collaboration across governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Citing the lack of equitable access to early HIV/AIDS treatment and to vaccine deployments during the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, the WHO Director General warned “we cannot allow that to happen again.” This WHO Accelerator initiative would augment the WHO COVID-19 R&D Blueprint adopted in February, while the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative earlier this month announced a parallel effort focusing on resource-poor settings. The COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition includes over 70 institutions from over 30 countries and aims to accelerate research and access to priority needs of vulnerable populations. See: STAT COVID-19 Drugs and Vaccines Tracker.