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COVID-19 Outbreak Readiness and Response

Image
corona virus picture
Source: WHO

On this page you can find information and guidance on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. For the latest analysis, view the COVID-19 Impact on Humanitarian Emergencies: March 2021 Highlights.

The IASC Principals, supported by the IASC's Emergency Directors Group, are meeting regularly to assess the rapidly-evolving situation and determine necessary actions to urgently respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. To ensure that life-saving assistance is delivered to the most vulnerable people, the Principals have fast-tracked the release of critical guidance to support its members and the broader humanitarian community in emergency response and preparedness. They are committed to sustaining ongoing humanitarian operations to avoid further loss of lives and suffering and the aggravation of affected people’s vulnerabilities, while still prioritizing the provision of duty of care measures for staff.

Following the declaration of COVID-19 by WHO, the IASC Principals activated the IASC System-Wide Scale-Up Protocols adapted to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic emergency, from16 April 2020 for an initial period of six months and then extended until 17 January 2021. They build on the IASC Scale-Up activation for infectious diseases, which reflects the roles of WHO and its Director-General and Member States under the International Health Regulations (2005). The Scale-up Protocols were adapted to the global COVID-19 pandemic to support a joined-up and systematic response to the crisis. This first ever global system-wide emergency activation enabled a coordinated approach in scaling-up preparedness and response efforts, including through joint analysis, surge support, supply chain and logistical support, and resource mobilization. 

The IASC with the coordination of OCHA quickly mobilized its members and partners and launched the first COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP), just two weeks after WHO’s announcement of a global pandemic – to address the immediate humanitarian consequences of the pandemic. With stepped up advocacy by the ERC and the IASC, and the generous support of donors, $3.7 bn of the 9.5 bn total ask was mobilized. This allowed the system to, meet critical lifesaving needs, including: provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits in 55 out of the 63 GHRP countries; addressing GBV with 100% of the GHRP countries receiving prevention messaging; 129 million children receiving virtual or home based learning; and provision of essential health services to 57 million people. Support to the GHRP helped establish the Global Common Services. Overview of the GHRP on the Financial Tracking Service here.

The IASC also successfully advocated with GAVI for the establishment of a COVAX humanitarian ‘buffer’, to ensure that up to 5 per cent of the COVID-19 vaccine doses procured through the COVAX facility will serve as a contingency stock for at-risk vulnerable populations in humanitarian settings. Experience shows that even for routine vaccinations, and despite governments’ best efforts, some people inevitably fall through the cracks. Therefore, in support of national government obligations, the IASC has continued to advocate for vulnerable populations to be part of planning processes.

Eighteen guidance documents have been developed jointly by a number of the IASC members and/or IASC Reference Groups, and are available in different languages.

IASC Principals: Vulnerable People Need Us Now More Than Ever
Dr. Mike Ryan on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
COVAX: Ensuring Global Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
Other Guidance Developed by IASC Partners
  • The COVID-19 Crisis: Key Protection Messages (UNHCR)

  • COVID-10: Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of internally displaced persons (OHCHR)

  • Gendered Implications of COVID-19 - Policy Paper (Care International)
  • COVID-19: How to include marginalized and vulnerable people in risk communication and community engagement (UN Women, WHO, IFRC, OCHA, and Translators without Borders)

  • COVID-19: Guidance and advice for older people (HelpAge International)

  • Localised Response to COVID-19 Global Pandemic  (A4EP)

  • COVID-19: Inclusive Programming - Ensuring Assistance and Protection Addresses the Needs of Marginalized and At-Risk People (ICRC)

  • Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CMCoord) Operational Guidance for Appropriate Interaction with Armed Actors in the Context of the COVID-19 Response (OCHA)

  • Safe Ramadan practices in the context of the COVID-19 - Interim Guidance (WHO)

  • Considerations in adjusting public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19 (WHO)

  • Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Staff, Volunteers and Communities in an Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (IFRC)

  • Protection, gender and inclusion in the response to COVID-19 – Technical guidance note and key messages (IFRC)

  • WASH and Infection Prevention and Control Measures in Schools (UNICEF)

  • Protecting People and Economies: Integrated Policy Responses to COVID-19 (World Bank Group)

Other Resources

Platforms:

  • ​​​​​​WHO website: COVID-19 (WHO)
  • COVID-19 (United Nations)
  • COVID-19 platform (OECD)

Briefs:

  • Secretary-General's Policy Briefs on COVID-19 (United Nations)
  • WHO Gender and COVID-19 Advocacy Brief (WHO)
  • COVID-19 Global Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Strategy (WHO, UNICEF, IFRC)
  • COVID-19 Distancing ESAfrica brief (SSHAP)

Resources:

  • COVID-19 Resources Relating to Accountability and Inclusion (Multiple Resources)
  • Guidance Note: COVID-19 Response Readiness and Humanitarian Response Plan Revision (OCHA)
  • Advice of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to States Parties and National Preventive Mechanisms relating to the Coronavirus Pandemic (OHCHR)
  • COVID-19 Resource Material (OCHA)
  • COVID-19 and the Displaced: Addressing the Threat of the Novel Coronavirus in Humanitarian Emergencies (Refugees International) 
  • Glossary - A Guide to Coronavirus-Related Words (Merriam Webster)
  • Global Rapid Gender Analysis for COVID-19 (Care International and IRC)
  • Guidance note on the importation of Medicines and Medical Equipment in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) (IMPACCT)
  • COVID-19 and Internal Displacement - Messages and Resources (UNHCR)
  • COVID-19 and Shelter (Global Shelter Cluster) 
  • Advice on compulsory quarantine for Coronavirus (Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture) (OHCHR)
  • 2020 Global Report on Food Crises - Joint Analysis for Better Decisions (FSIN)
  • MEDEVAC During COVID-19 Pandemic (United Nations)
  • The Sphere standards and the Coronavirus response (Sphere)
  • COVID-19 and the impact on agriculture and food security (ILO)
  • COVID-19: Access Challenges and the Implications of Border Restrictions (UNHCR & IOM)
  • COVID-19 Supply Chain System documents (WHO)
  • COVID-19 Resources (ACAPS)
  • Commitments into Action: A holistic and coherent response to COVID-19 across the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus (UNSDG & OECD INCAF)
  • FAQ on Data Responsibility in the COVID-19 (OCHA)
Scale-Up Protocols - COVID-19 - Activated from April 2020 to January 2021

Cover of the Activation of the IASC System-Wide Scale-up Protocols, Adapted to the Global COVID-19 pandemic, April 2020 IASC System-Wide Scale-Up Protocols - Adapted to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic

IASC Interim Guidance
  • Interim Guidance on Scaling-up COVID-19 Outbreak in Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings (jointly developed by IFRC, IOM, UNHCR and WHO)
  • Interim Briefing Note Addressing Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak (developed by the IASC’s Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support)
  • Interim Recommendations for Adjusting Food Distribution Standard Operating Procedures in the Context of the COVID-19 Outbreak (developed by WFP)
  • Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Schools (jointly developed by IFRC, UNICEF, and WHO)
  • Interim Guidance on COVID-19: Focus on Persons Deprived of their Liberty (developed by OHCHR and WHO)
  • Interim Technical Note: Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) during COVID-19 Response - Version 1.0 (developed by WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP, IOM, OCHA, CHS Alliance, InterAction and the UN Victims’ Rights Advocate)
  • Interim Guidance: Gender Alert for COVID-19 Outbreak (developed by the IASC Reference Group for Gender in Humanitarian Action)
  • Interim Key Messages: Flexible Funding for Humanitarian Response and COVID-19 (developed by IASC Results Group 5 on Humanitarian Financing)
  • IASC Interim Guidance on COVID-19: Emergency Response Preparedness Approach (developed by the Preparedness, Early Action and Readiness Sub-Group, IASC Results Group 1)
  • IASC Interim Guidance on Public Health and Social Measures for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Operations in Low Capacity and Humanitarian Settings (developed by ICRC, IFRC, IOM, NRC, UNICEF, UN-HABITAT, UNHCR, WHO in consultation with IASC members)
  • IASC Key Messages to Fast-Track Health and Aid Workers and Supplies at Borders and in Countries (developed by UNICEF and OCHA in consultation with the IASC members)
  • IASC Interim Guidance on Localisation and the COVID-19 Response (developed jointly by IFRC and UNICEF in coordination with IASC Results Group 1- Operational Response Sub-Group on Localisation)
IASC Guidance Related to COVID-19

IASC Proposal for a Harmonized Approach to Funding Flexibility in the Context of COVID-19 (IASC Results Group 5 on Humanitarian Financing)

IASC Key Messages on Applying IASC Guidelines on Disability in the COVID-19 Response  (Reference Group on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in consultation with IASC Results Group 2 on Accountability and Inclusion)

IASC Proposals to Address the Inconsistency in Unlocking and Disbursing Funds to NGOs in COVID-19 Response (IASC Results Group 5 on Humanitarian Financing)

IASC Key Protection Advocacy Messages - COVID-19 (IASC Results Group 3 on Collective Advocacy)

IASC Key Messages on Climate Change, Humanitarian Action and COVID-19 (IASC Results Group 3 on Collective Advocacy)

IASC Minimum Standards on Duty of Care in the Context of COVID-19 (OPAG ad hoc Task Team) 

IASC MHPSS Products related to COVID-19

Cover of the story book My Hero is YouStorybook for Children on COVID-19: My Hero is You

Cover page for the actions for heroes book. it shows the orange dragon Ario with a nurse, a parent and two kids. Ario is holding a newspaper with these words on it: Children speak out. Actions for Heroes: A Guide for heart-to-heart chats with Children to accompany reading of My Hero is You

cover pageBasic Psychosocial Skills: A Guide for COVID-19 Responders 

Cover of the IASC Guidance on Operational considerations for multisectoral mental health and psychosocial support programmes during the COVID-19 pandemicIASC Guidance on Operational Considerations for Multisectoral Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programmes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Gender-Based Violence and COVID-19 - UN Secretary-General's message
Release of updated COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan
Appeals and Progress Reports

Appeals

Cover photo of the July 2020 update to the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response PlanCOVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan (Version 3, July 2020)

 Cover of the Updated COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response PlanCOVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan (Version 2, May 2020)


Cover of the Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan (Original, March 2020)

strategic plan cover pageStrategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP 2020)

Cover of the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP 2021)Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP 2021)

 

Progress Reports 

cover pageGHRP Progress Report (Final Version, February 2021)

''GHRP Progress Report (Version 4, November 2020)

GHRP Progress Report (Version 3, September 2020)

Cover page GHRP Progress Report (Version 2, August 2020)

Cover page GHRP Progress Report (Version 1, June 2020)

Coronavirus Explained
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