Public Health

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact on every aspect of life. Facing loss of livelihoods and inadequate safety nets, migrant workers in India constitute perhaps the most severely affected cohort of Indians. However, the socio-economic impact on these migrant workers has a gendered dimension to it too. A survey of 10,161 women migrant workers in India revealed that they were faced with the double burden of earning a livelihood and unpaid care work at home. In addition, their incomes fell by more than half during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. Against this backdrop, we present the importance of social protection measures for Indian women migrant workers along four dimensions, namely: food security, cash assistance, government health insurance, and protection against domestic violence.

Even though microenterprises in Colombia represent approximately 80 percent of the national productive sector, accounting for 33 percent of the labor force and approximately 5 percent of the aggregated value, the microenterprise segment has many problems in productivity, formality and innovation compared to its bigger brothers. This is a paradox of utmost relevance as these structural problems have greatly influenced the COVID-19 impact on microenterprise, one of the most affected sectors during the crisis. Taking advantage of a new, detailed national microenterprise survey (EMICRON), this document sheds a light on the structural and institutional problems that affect the wellbeing of microenterprises in Colombia and characterizes the junctural impact of the COVID crisis in the sector. This document indicates that the direction of the economic recovery should not only focus on overcoming the crisis but should incorporate long-term and structural policies.

In a post-COVID-19 Iraq, it will be impossible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or an inclusive development trajectory without tackling the multiple dimensions of fragility in the country. The fragility landscape in Iraq is challenging at best with all dimensions scoring on the high end of the scale. There is a strong imperative to work across the humanitarian, development and peace (HDP) nexus with UNDP as Fragility Integrator, together with all stakeholders, to sustainably address priority drivers and their effects on the social contract and ensure no one is left behind. This policy brief provides recommendation of how to create the enabling environment towards a fragility-based post-COVID-19 recovery.

Border closures, restrictions and other measures taken by countries to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have caused large numbers of seafarers – peaking at an estimated 400,000 in September 2020 – to remain stranded at sea, far beyond contract expiration dates and the 11-month maximum period of continuous service on board ships. This has caused a humanitarian crew change crisis and brought working conditions in the shipping sector into the spotlight. Governments and industry should continue to collaborate with all other relevant stakeholders to address the crew change crisis and ensure that seafarers are designated as key workers and are prioritized for vaccinations.

COVID-19 threw Moldovan governance into chaotic domain (in Cynefin terms), where cause and effect are unclear, events are too confusing to wait for a knowledge-based response and Government has to act and sense before responding. The Republic of Moldova used thick data (micro-narratives) to unveil the hidden facets of COVID’s impact. Using thick data helped to provide a more nuanced response to challenges, for instance by better shaping communication strategy. Thick data should not be considered as contradicting big data, but rather as complimentary and enriching sensemaking. Empowering people to reflect on their assessed anecdotal evidence helps to enrich insights.

The COVID-19 crisis is evolving into a long-term development emergency, the scale of which is unprecedented in modern times. Among the root causes of the crisis is humanity’s breaching of the planet’s ecological boundaries. COVID-19 is likely a zoonotic disease, a disease passed from animals to humans. As pressures on natural ecosystems and wildlife intensify, channels of viral outbreak have accelerated in recent years, as also seen in outbreaks of other zoonotic diseases such as Ebola, SARS and MERS in recent years. More than ever, the ability to prevent outbreaks depends on our ability to maintain healthy ecosystems and avoid the blurring of ecological boundaries.

The book “When Juncture Meets Structure: Vignettes on Development and the COVID-19 Crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean” is based on the “Graph for Thought” series, and brings together 30 data-driven vignettes to tell the story of structural development challenges in the LAC region and how this is changing in the wake of the pandemic.

The migration-development nexus has witnessed increasing attention in recent years, both globally and regionally, reflecting the profound impact that population movements have on both countries of origin and of destination, both within and beyond the region. The 2024 edition of the Situation Report on International Migration in the Arab Region examines the critical nexus of migration and development in a region undergoing transformative demographic, economic, social and technological shifts. It offers an analysis of migration trends, challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the dual role of migration as both a driver and a product of development. Key insights highlight the potential of migration to contribute positively to host societies and countries of origin. Migrants bring valuable skills, knowledge and cultural diversity, while remittances support families, reduce poverty, and spur economic growth. However, achieving these outcomes requires policies that safeguard migrants’ rights and maximize their contributions to development. Regional cooperation is also essential, as the interconnected nature of Arab countries means migration policies in one country can significantly affect neighbouring nations. The present report provides a road map to harness migration’s potential, while addressing its challenges. By adopting a holistic and forward-looking approach, the Arab region can position migration as a source of strength, resilience and shared prosperity.