Long-term damage to human rights and refugee rights from the pandemic, macro-financial assistance package and a record number of people to need humanitarian assistance. Here is what you missed from last week’s headlines in the international development sector:
Beware long-term damage to human rights and refugee rights from the coronavirus pandemic: UNHCR
The coronavirus pandemic has deepened the plight of people fleeing war, conflict and persecution. As countries battle to protect their populations and economies, fundamental norms of refugee and human rights law are at risk.
“The core principles of refugee protection are being put to test – but people who are forced to flee conflict and persecution should not be denied safety and protection on the pretext, or even as a side effect, of responding to the virus,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
“Securing public health and protecting refugees are not mutually exclusive. This is not a dilemma. We have to do both. Long-recognized refugee laws can be respected even as governments adopt stringent measures to protect public health, including at borders.”
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimates that 167 countries have so far fully or partially closed their borders to contain the spread of the virus. At least 57 states are making no exception for people seeking asylum.
Commission proposes €3 billion macro-financial assistance package to support ten neighbouring countries
The Commission has adopted a proposal for a €3 billion macro-financial assistance (MFA) package to ten enlargement and neighbourhood partners to help them to limit the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
The proposal comes on top of the ‘Team Europe’ strategy, the EU’s robust and targeted response to support partner countries’ efforts in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. It represents an important demonstration of the EU’s solidarity with these countries at a time of unprecedented crisis.
The proposal, following a preliminary assessment of financing needs, provides for the MFA funds to be distributed as follows: the Republic of Albania (€180 million), Bosnia and Herzegovina (€250 million), Georgia (€150 million), the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (€200 million), Kosovo (€100 million), the Republic of Moldova (€100 million), Montenegro (€60 million), the Republic of North Macedonia (€160 million), the Republic of Tunisia (€600 million) and Ukraine (€1.2 billion).
A record number of people to need humanitarian assistance due to coronavirus
The Development Policy Committee estimates that coronavirus affects the most vulnerable people in the world and can lead to record levels in the need for humanitarian assistance. The Development Policy Committee is an advisory body representing the parliamentary parties and society at large.
“The world cannot afford to see a future where the African countries’ development efforts turn into a humanitarian crisis. Europe will not be safe either if our neighbouring regions plunge into a crisis or if the virus starts to spread again. It is therefore important that we get the epidemic under control everywhere,” the Development Policy Committee emphasises.
The Committee considers that Finland should prepare for a marked increase in the need for humanitarian assistance in different parts of the world. Foresight can save a lot. Finland should immediately develop a cross-sectoral approach to coronavirus, combining humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peace work, to support especially the capacity of poor countries to be prepared for the epidemic and be able to respond to and recover from it.
DevelopmentAid Editorials
Lessons for the COVID-19 response from the ongoing Ebola outbreak
On Sunday, April 12th, the World Health Organization was close to declaring an end to the latest Ebola outbreak in Congo. However, the two-year battle already fought against the deadly virus now continues with new cases re-emerging just days before the decision to issue this declaration was made. The country’s failed response to the Ebola epidemic could be a lesson for any epidemic eradication, including COVID-19.
The latest, and the second-worst Ebola outbreak in history, began in August 2018 in the remote north of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus spread throughout the major cities and was in danger of spreading across East Africa and beyond. However, since the beginning of the outbreak, only one case has been reported outside of Congo, in neighboring Uganda. As of 7 April 2020, a total of 3,453 cases were reported of which 2,273 ended in death, with an overall case fatality ratio of 66%, according to the country’s Ministry of Health.
Australia is stepping in to manage its climate change financial risks
Recent Black Summer bush fires in Australia have brought significant damage to the country’s economy. The event pinpointed the need to take a closer look at the financial risks associated with climate change. In 2019, Australia’s main financial regulators made a call to action, citing climate change as a central concern for the economy and the financial stability of the country. This article will take a look at the current considerations of Australia’s institutions regarding climate change and the steps that are being taken in order to contain the financial risks associated with it.
Here’s what else has happened
IFAD: The COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a health crisis: it is affecting societies and economies. The International Food Policy Research Institute estimates, for example, that 140 million additional people could fall into extreme poverty this year as a result of the virus, while a recent United Nations University study projects that global poverty could increase for the first time since 1990.
EBRD: The EBRD is rapidly stepping up support for its regions in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and now expects to dedicate the entirety of its activities to helping the 38 emerging economies where it invests to combat the economic impact of the crisis.
ILO: The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder, has welcomed the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ commitment for “full global cooperation” to safeguard people’s jobs and incomes but warned that current support measures are not enough.
EIB: European development institutions have a common mission: to support the economy and to contribute to sustainable growth and jobs. This mission is even more urgent in the current crisis.
Reports
WTO report finds growing number of export restrictions in response to COVID-19 crisis
Eighty countries and customs territories so far have introduced export prohibitions or restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic according to a new report by the WTO Secretariat.
The report, which is based on information from official sources and news outlets, draws attention to the current lack of transparency at the multilateral level and long-term risks that export restrictions pose to global supply chains and public welfare.
Read and download the WTO report: Export Prohibitions and Restrictions.
WHO urges countries to move quickly to save lives from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa
Severe disruptions to insecticide-treated net campaigns and in access to antimalarial medicines could lead to a doubling in the number of malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa this year compared to 2018, according to a new modelling analysis released by WHO and partners ahead of World Malaria Day.
WHO urges countries to move fast and distribute malaria prevention and treatment tools at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in sub-Saharan Africa, and to do their utmost to safely maintain these essential malaria control services.
Check out Tailoring malaria interventions in COVID-19 response.
Events
UNCTAD eCommerce Week 2020
27 April -1 May 2020
Online Events
The online event is a modified, smart edition of the popular annual UNCTAD eCommerce Week at which senior government officials, chief executive officers and other stakeholders forge solutions to challenges linked to the digital economy.
