Impact Of COVID-19 In Africa - United Nations Sustainable .
Policy Brief:Impact ofCOVID-19 in Africa2 0 M AY 2 0 2 0
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:Impact ofCOVID-19 in AfricaIt is too early to know the full impact of COVID-19Moreover, as with other regions, there is not oneon Africa. To date the experience has beenhomogenous narrative around the COVID-19varied. There are causes for concern, but alsopandemic in Africa. The pandemic is affectingreasons for hope. Early estimates were pessimis-African countries differently, given variedtic regarding the pandemic’s impact on the conti-strengths and vulnerabilities. Only one third ofnent. But the relatively low numbers of COVID-19Africans have access to proper hand washing,cases reported thus far have raised hopes thatfor instance, and there is less than one doctorAfrican countries may be spared the worst ofper one thousand people on the continent.1 Butthe pandemic. While the virus is present in allsome countries also have a wealth of relevantAfrican countries, most countries have recordedlessons from dealing with previous HIV/AIDSfewer than 1,000 cases. The African Union actedand Ebola epidemics on engaging communities,swiftly, endorsing a joint continental strategy incommunicating risks and adapting local andFebruary, and complementing efforts by Memberinnovative methods to craft African approachesStates and Regional Economic Communities byto control spread of the disease. The Africaproviding a public health platform.CentreS for Disease Control and Prevention isCaution is warranted, however, as these areearly days in the life cycle of a disease that isstill not fully understood and where we haveseen repeated patterns of first slow, thenexponential growth in the number of cases. Thetesting capabilities, promoting knowledge-basedpandemic management, and supportinggovernments’ efforts to mobilise resources for asustained health response.low numbers recorded so far could be linkedWhile the immediate health impact is stillto minimal capacities for testing and reportingevolving, the indirect consequences beyondcases. WHO has warned that the pandemichealth already bring a heavy toll. These includecould kill between 83,000 and 190,000 peoplefood insecurity, lack of medical supplies, lossin 47 African countries in the first year, mostlyof income and livelihood, difficulties in applyingdepending on governments’ responses; and thesanitary and physical distancing measures, asocio-economic impacts could “smoulder” forlooming debt crisis, as well as related politicalseveral years.and security risks. This policy brief takes a12boosting the region’s capacities by buildingWorld Bank — S?end 2015&locations ZG&start 1994IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA Executive Summary
snapshot of immediate impacts of the pandemicamounting to a double-digit percentage of globalon health, economies, peace, security, humanGross Domestic Product. For Africa, that meansrights and humanitarian assistance in Africa.more than 200 billion. All of Africa’s partnersIt outlines response measures currently beingmust mobilize. We also need an across-the-taken by African and external stakeholders andboard debt standstill for African countries asprovides recommendations to protect gains inwell as comprehensive options towards debtthe fight against the pandemic and maximisesustainability and solutions for structural issuesopportunities in the recovery for a more inclusivein the international debt architecture. Increasedand sustainable future as countries emerge fromresources from the multilateral lending agencies,this crisis.including through raising IMF Special DrawingRights, will also be critical to the region’ssuccess in dealing with the consequences of theTHE FOLLOWING KEY FINDINGSEMERGE FROM OUR ANALYSIS:pandemic. It is vital that measures to addressthe economic and social fall-out of the crisisinclude direct support that will keep householdsafloat and businesses solvent. There must beHEALTH:The global health response must emphasizesolidarity towards developing countries, guidedby the notion of health as a global public good.African countries, with partner support, cantake measures to improve testing capacities,access to medical supplies, and participationin vaccine and treatment research; enhanceproduction and innovation through intra-Africancollaboration; expand deployment of communityhealth workers, which proved effective duringprevious health crises; and boost medicalpersonnel capacity, including by tapping intodiaspora expertise. Once vaccines or medicaltreatment for COVID-19 are discovered, it iscritical that Africa benefits from equal access.In addition, these measures must be part of acomprehensive effort to improve the resilienceand preparedness of healthcare systems thatwill be increasingly exposed to risks, fromclimate-induced natural disasters to conflicts.SOCIO-ECONOMIC:To help address the devastating economic andsocial consequences of this crisis, we needa comprehensive global response packagea focus on the most affected. The steps so fartaken by African governments to save lives andprotect livelihoods with a “people first” approach,and their efforts to support large, medium andsmall enterprises, as well as the informal sector,which is the predominant sector for women’semployment, need to be scaled up substantially,supported by all partners. Emergency budgetarysupport is also needed to procure essentiallifesaving materials and effect the immediatesocio-economic response.FOOD SECURITY:Many Africans risk becoming food insecure asa consequence of this crisis. It is important toprioritize agriculture by declaring it a critical sector that should not be interrupted by COVID-19related measures. Food corridors need to besecured, and farmers supported, to ensure uninterrupted supplies and food security. Similarly,focus should be on regions and communitieswhere risks are most acute, strengthening socialprotection systems and safeguarding accessto food and nutrition for the most vulnerablegroups, especially young children, pregnant andbreastfeeding women, older people and otherat-risk groups.Executive Summary IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA3
PEACE AND SECURITY:HUMAN RIGHTS:While dealing with the menace of the pandemic,Keeping human rights considerations to themaintaining peace and security in Africafore of COVID-19 response results in betterremains paramount. Priorities in this regardoutcomes.2 Citizen trust in institutions, trans-include silencing the guns, implementing theparency and social cohesion appear to enhanceSecretary-General’s and the African Unioncompliance with response measures. InclusionCommission Chairperson’s appeal for a cease-and participation of women and youth, andfire, sustaining peace processes and criticalrespect for human rights need to be upheld inpeace operations. The response to COVID-19the delivery of COVID-19-related services andneeds to be “conflict-sensitive” and avoidin the fight against the virus. Recovery from thegenerating new tensions. Decisions regardingcrisis must lead to more equal, inclusive andplanned national elections should be takensustainable economies and societies.in an inclusive and consultative manner. Aninclusive security approach would also ensurethat the spike in violence in the home andharmful practices, such as child marriage, andsexual abuse as a result of the pandemic, areintegrated through preventive measures into allresponse planning.24Policy Brief on COVID-19 and Human Rights.IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA Executive Summary
SECTION 1:IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic arrived at a momentincreasingly the norm for a majority of Africanwhen prospects for many African countries werecountries, were due to be held in 2020.promising. At the beginning of 2020, Africa wason track to continue its economic expansion,with growth projected to rise from 2.9 per centin 2019 to 3.2 per cent in 2020, and 3.5 per centin 2021.3 Important gains were being registeredin poverty reduction and health indicators.Technology and innovation were being increasingly embraced across the continent, withyoung Africans acting as early adopters of newplatforms such as mobile money.Progress had also been made with respect topolitical unity and economic integration. Theentry into force of the African Continental FreeTrade Area (AfCFTA) in May 2019 promised toboost intra-African trade by as much as 25 percent by 2040.4 Furthermore, Africa enjoyed someof the highest global returns on foreign directinvestment (FDI).5 Several inclusive elections,At the same time, as with other regions of theworld, Africa faced important challenges. It wasnot on track to achieve the goals of the 2030Agenda and Agenda 2063.6 Weak governance,corruption, environmental degradation, humanrights violations, lack of economic diversity, andhumanitarian and conflict situations, amongothers, further undermined progress.It is against this backdrop that African countriesare dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilethe pandemic’s full impact has yet to be felt, theprolonged lack of investment in critical health systems and decades of economic growth that alsoexacerbated grievances and inequality, increaseAfrica’s vulnerability. If not controlled early, thepandemic could quickly morph into humanitarian,socioeconomic, development, and political crises,with profoundly destabilising effects.3World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, May 13, 2020.4UNCTAD, 2019, Economic Development in Africa.5See Odusola, A.F. 2018. Investing in Africa is sound business and a sustainable corporate strategy. Africa Renewal.6Sixth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development: summary, key messages and Victoria Falls Declaration,ECA/RFSD/2020/16, 24 March 2020Introduction IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA5
SECTION 2:COVID-19 andAfrica’s immediate responseThe first case of COVID-19 on the continentThe Africa CDC has also established the Africaof Africa was reported on 14 February 2020.COVID-19 Response Fund, in collaboration withBy 13 May, cases had been reported in all 54the public-private AfroChampions initiative, tocountries.7raise an initial 150 million for immediate needsThe African Union acted swiftly,endorsing a joint continental strategy inand up to 400 million to support a sustainedFebruary, and complementing efforts by Memberhealth response and socio-economic assistanceStates and Regional Economic Communities byto the most vulnerable populations in Africa.providing a public health platform. The AfricanUnion Chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosaof South Africa, appointed four Special Envoys tomobilize international support for Africa’s effortsquarantines, lockdowns and border closures. Sofar, countries with higher levels of testing haveto address the economic fallout of COVID-19.experienced lower infection rates, but limitedThe Africa Centres for Disease Control andrate transmission, hospitalization and mortalityPrevention (Africa CDC), established in 2017,rates. Regional Economic Communities haveis curating real time information, in closealso been proactive, unveiling initiatives withincollaboration with the World Health Organizationtheir respective regions.8(WHO). The Africa CDC’s new Partnership onAccelerated COVID-19 Testing (PACT), whichaims to test 10 million people within six months,will complement government efforts whilebuilding important inroads into promotingknowledge-based pandemic management. WHOsupport for a significant ramp up to achievethis target will be vital, given that, to date, thereis limited availability of test kits across thecontinent.6Most African countries moved swiftly, enforcingcapacity has rendered it difficult to discern accu-African countries are also addressing theeconomic and humanitarian fallout of thepandemic. Many have already announcedremedial fiscal and monetary measures, as wellas food distribution and financial support tothe most vulnerable groups. More is needed interms of immediate and direct assistance tocushion against lost income and exportearnings, dwindling remittances and decreased7Sources: WHO COVID-19 Situation Reports. First case was reported in Egypt. Lesotho was 54th country to report, with first caseannounced on 13 May.8The East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, the Economic Community of West African States and theIntergovernmental Authority on Development have unveiled initiatives within their respective regions.IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA COVID-19 and Africa’s immediate response
government revenue. However, relatively fewand free water to the most vulnerable. Botswanacountries have articulated initiatives to mitigatehas focused on boosting the livelihoods ofthe socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 (seevulnerable households by buying food from localbelow).communities. The relative effectiveness of thedifferent strategies across the region will only beknown in time.Country responses to COVID-19in AfricaBOX 1:AFRICAN EXPERIENCEFROM PREVIOUS EPIDEMICSSocio-EconomicSME Support2220Social Programs18Income Support0510152520Number of countries taking each measureMacroeconomicExchange Rate4Monetary Policy3744Fiscal Policy01020304050Number of countries taking each measureGovernance17State of EmergencyLockdown or CurfewClosed BordersTravel Bans27414201020304050Number of countries taking each measureSource: UNDP9African countries have largely taken a middleof-the-road approach to prevention, maintainingsome level of economic activity. Ghana, forexample, opted for a partial lockdown for alimited period and enforced close monitoring ofpeople’s movements, providing sanitary facilities9Africa’s experience in dealing with bothHIV/AIDS and Ebola has created communities of practice with innovative strategiesfor tracing, treatment, isolation and caringfor the sick. Countries are also drawinglessons from previous epidemics to engagecommunities, communicate risks and adaptlocal and innovative approaches to craft anAfrican approach to pushing back againstthe pandemic. During the Ebola health crisisin West Africa, one of the main causes ofthe rapid spread of the disease was mistrust of government,which affected publiccooperation. Collaboration with local peacebuilders, trusted and respected communitymembers, created the right environmentwhere the local population could collaborate with health workers and governmentinstitutions. Another lesson learned is theimportance of disseminating clear information about the disease and how it spreads toprevent rumours, especially in remote areas.With digitalisation already transformingAfrica’s economies in important ways, mostAfrican countries have also actively employeddigital technologies to shift to cashlesstransactions, for example, through the use ofmobile money in East Africa, which has helpedreduce the risk of the spread. In Ethiopia andSource: Index Mundi, 2020 (www.indexmundi.com)COVID-19 and Africa’s immediate response IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA7
Senegal, tech startups10 are using 3D printing totools for contact tracing, information campaignsdevelop face shields and ventilator valves. Southand data collection. African sovereign wealthAfrica is using cell phones for contact tracing, asand pension fund leaders have announcedopportunities for telehealth also open up.collaboration on supply chain and trade supportIn addition, African civil society actors andthe private sector are forming unprecedentedpartnerships to fight the disease. In Nigeria,the Coalition Against COVID-19 has broughttogether local banks to mobilise resources tothrough digitization, especially in healthcare andagriculture. Ethiopian Airlines has refurbished31 ventilators for the Ministry of Health and isset to launch the production of ventilators withforeign partners.support social protection and the purchase ofUN “Solidarity Flights,” led by WHO, the WorldPPE. The African Influencers for DevelopmentFood Programme (WFP), the African Unioninitiative, supported by UNDP, has rallied medicaland Africa CDC, are delivering urgently neededprofessionals, finance, logistics, production andmedical equipment to all African nations in themore. Tech volunteers from the Ethiopian dias-fight against COVID-19.pora are working with the government to develop108 opia-inaugurate-locally-made-ventilatorsIMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA COVID-19 and Africa’s immediate response
CHART 1:Level of preparedness by countries in Africa to COVID-19Source: UNDPCOVID-19 and Africa’s immediate response IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA9
SECTION 3:Impact of COVID-19 in Africa —Risks and OpportunitiesHUMAN IMPACTresponses. The WHO has stated that the virus andits impact could “smoulder” for several years.12While African countries have respondeddecisively to the pandemic, and the numbers ofcases and deaths are for now relatively low, themagnitude of the challenge and the continent’sunderlying vulnerabilities cannot be underplayed.As of 18 May 2020, the virus had infected 4.6 million people and claimed 311,847 lives worldwide.The corresponding figures for Africa on that datewere 84,183 cases and 2,739 deaths.11 ManyAfrican countries (75 per cent) have recordedfewer than 1,000 cases while South Africa alonehas reported almost twice more cases than thebottom 35 countries combined (see Chart 2).Low case numbers relative to other regionshave raised hopes that African countries may bespared the worst of the pandemic, but caution isin order. The disease is still not fully understood.Minimal capacities for testing and reporting casesmay mean that official numbers do not providea full picture of the COVID-19 caseload in Africa.WHO estimates that the pandemic could killbetween 83,000 and 190,000 people in 47 Africancountries in the first year. The mortality ratewould largely depend on individual governments’11103.1. Social 13 andEconomic ImpactsAfrica will be hard hit by the projected mediumto long-term social and economic impacts of thepandemic. Chart 3 illustrates these effects inthe African context. The drop in GDP could leadto stalled economies and exacerbate historicalstructural inequities in most African economies.In many African countries the majority of peopleearn their livelihoods through the informal economy with little insurance against unexpecteddisruptions. At the same time many formal businesses, especially small businesses, are runningout of reserves to sustain themselves. Over time,we could see a recession and a full-blown financial crisis. Economic recovery measures typicallyhappen after crisis triggers and humanitarianchallenges have received some attention. Thisapproach will not work with COVID-19 becauseunemployment, job losses and wealth depletion(asset stripping) have started to happen veryearly on, even before the health impacts.Compiled based on data from WHO COVID-19 Dashboard [Accessed 18 May not-controlled13These have been detailed in previous policy briefs: The Secretary-General’s Report, “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity:Responding to the socio-economicimpacts of COVID-19”, March 19, 2020; The Secretary-General’s Policy Brief, “The Impact of COVID-19on Women”, April 9, 2020; The Secretary-General’s Policy Brief, “The Impact of COVID-19 on Children”, April 15, 2020; The SecretaryGeneral’s Policy Brief, “The Impact of COVID-19 on Older Persons”, May 1, 2020.IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN AFRICA Risks and Opportunities
CHART 2. REPORTED COVID-19 CASES IN AFRICA (ON 18 MAY 2020)Morocco6930South Africa15515Bottom a 990Senegal2544Somalia Gabon14211320Kenya Niger912904M 874MaliSource — UNDP Africa14CHART 3.
3 World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, May 13, 2020. 4 UNCTAD, 2019, Economic Development in Africa. 5 See Odusola, A.F. 2018. Investing in Africa is sound business and a sustainable corporate strategy. Africa Renewal.
COVID-19 Mental health impact COVID-19 Impact on Sleep COVID-19 Positive Impacts University of California, San Dr. Ariel J. Lang ajlang@health.ucsd.edu ID: 21877 COVID-19 Household Environment Scale (CHES) - English COVID-19 Household Environment Scale (CHES) - Spanish COVID-19 Social Distancing and Symptoms COVID-19 on Family .
4.2 Impact of Covid-19 on the Employment 16 4.3 Impact of Covid-19 on the Business Revenue 19 4.4 Impact of Covid-19 on the operations of Businesses 20 4.5 Significant challenges faced by business markets due to Covid-19 22 4.7 Support needed by business 29 4.8 Support by Businesses to the Government in its fight against Covid-19 31
3.1. The Covid-19 global and regional context 3 3.1.1. Impact on global and regional growth 4 3.1.2. Covid-19 effects on the global and regional employment 7 3.1.3. Global Covid-19 Responses 8 3.2. Impact of the Covid-19 on the Malawi economy. 10 3.2.1. Impact on the overall economy 10 3.2.2. Sectoral analysis of the effects of Covid-19 12
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