Nine main themes were identified by the network for which many initiatives were deployed:
Efforts on the reduction of inequalities were made in Algeria, Brazil, and Zimbabwe. Services to aid the elderly entitled 鈥溾 were offered (CICC, Algeria); distribution kits, including alcohol gel and soap, were (, Brazil); and assistance with social and health interventions to underprivileged groups was given (, Zimbabwe).
Unemployed and low-income residents have been heavily affected by COVID; therefore NGOs have highlighted the fight against poverty through the following initiatives: 鈥淚mthong Imjai Tanpai COVID19鈥 project providing 3,300 food boxes to communities in need (, Thailand) and in-servicewhere food was also distributed to communities in need (, India).
Social stigma can be a barrier to the COVID-19 response resulting in exposure to health risks, harassments, discrimination and isolation. Efforts to include isolated and marginalized populations carry on through the creation of a sustainable education model titled 鈥溾 (, Kenya), offering psychological help to Afro-Colombian mothers by the (, Colombia), and performing to fragile communities (, Philippines).
The fight against discrimination was showcased through several initiatives. were made available on the social stigma surrounding the community during COVID-19 (, , South Africa), a 鈥溾 global project on one鈥檚 rights to better combat discrimination (), and help was provided to transgender groups in India by providing them with livelihood items (). Aid to displaced populations was carried out through different initiatives, among them: 鈥檚 Internally Displaces Persons Camp, where safety measures were taken and virtual support provided (, Kenya), Health services were running in the NGO after being affected by the worst floods of the decade (Member of Make Mothers Matter, Bangladesh), the NGO OMEP raised awareness on the situation of refugee camps and its effects on children ( Greece). Lastly, the Montfort Social Institute provided cooked meals to migrant workers and tackled inequalities exasperated by the pandemic (, India).
To support women during the crisis, NGOs have set out approaches to protect women such as: operating a ( Barbados), working against gender-based violence through new technologies (, Uganda), assisting new mothers and mothers-to-be through the (, in Romania), creating and assisting violence-exposed women (/UNESCO New Delhi Office, India), and including courses at the centre for marginalized girls (, in C么te d'Ivoire).
Initiatives around the involvement of youth and their vision of the future were carried out globally. The students of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asian Arts shared of solidarity during the pandemic (, Pakistan), Young created a national file of registered female members and utilized Instagram for knowledge sharing. In Bangui, volunteers were joined by youth to share information with vulnerable local communities. Solidarity between youth prevails with efforts such as in Cameroon, 鈥溾 has worked with young teachers aiming to train the younger generations about leadership and improve schooling outcomes.
Collaboration continues through initiatives focusing on the importance of information and communication technologies for all, for instance, a collaborative network between France and Argentina by the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) on virtual education was made , the access to online (), and the launch of an International Day of Action entitled 鈥淢ake peace the new normal鈥 by several branches, connecting people from Austria, Singapore, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Colombia.
The transmission of trustworthy information about health is also a priority, where campaigns against COVID-19 were launched (, Sierra Leone), a health and hygiene programme 鈥溾 disseminated to schools and networks (, Nigeria), a training programme on the prevention of COVID along with an awareness campaign ( branch Anando, Bangladesh). Initiatives also included the creation of a by the NGO () and workshops with health services by UNESCO.
Through the wide set of diverse initiatives contributing to exploring new and innovative responses to the global crisis, NGOs have created an effective network of solidarity with the support of UNESCO and their shared values.
