Stories about Disaster from April, 2020
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Chinese netizens’ tribute to whistleblower Dr. Ai Fen
There are still people who are brave enough to speak up, and we value these people and try our best to spread their messages.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: A fake performance
They yelled out from their windows “fake, fake, it is all formalist performance”. This is not the first time the people in Wuhan express their resentment.
Russians under lockdown (re)create famous artworks online
The Izoizolyatsiya photo challenge has become a national obsession. To the RuNet's delight, thousands of Russians are recreating famous artworks using ordinary household items — in hilarious and often bizarre ways.
Out of 20,000 COVID-19 cases in the Balkans, more than a third are in Serbia
In Serbia, the government first ignored COVID-19 and even made fun of it.
Zanzibar relies on strong communities of care to confront COVID-19
Zanzibar thrives on unity. A wave of community-based health initiatives has ramped up their presence on the islands to raise awareness and educate islanders about the highly contagious coronavirus.
COVID-19 in the Middle East: Is this pandemic a health crisis or a war?
War-like rhetoric around COVID-19 has allowed governments in the Middle East and North Africa to execute emergency powers and impose draconian measures that would otherwise be unacceptable.
Prosecutions mount as Russia intensifies fight against COVID-19 ‘fake news’
Russia has made sharing "fake news" a criminal offence. Rights activists fear that charges will be brought against anybody questioning the state's account of the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Feelings of insecurity
I want to go to the park to take a stroll after the lockdown is lifted...
A high-profile funeral highlights a double standard in Nigeria under lockdown
In Nigeria, a high-profile burial amid COVID-19 lockdown orders highlights a double standard when it comes to state guidelines on best practices to mitigate the spread of the deadly disease.
COVID-19 exposes gaps in services for Azerbaijan’s elderly
Azerbaijanis over 65 are not permitted to leave their homes. Therefore many cannot receive their pensions, buy badly needed medication, or access social support.
Liberia's President George Weah sings his fight against COVID-19
Despite a message and movement solidarity in the fight against COVID-19 in Liberia, President George Weah still faces critique over a tanking economy and restricted media.
Russians launch mass virtual protests using satnav application
People across Russia are logging onto a popular satnav to launch virtual protests. Within hours, the Yandex.Navigator app was showing empty squares and streets of cities in lockdown as "congested"
How to protect Nigerians’ personal information while combating COVID-19
Combatting COVID-19 through all available legal means is urgent. However, such means need not be at the expense of protecting human rights — including the right to privacy.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Volunteers collect help messages during the pandemic
Domestic violence is emerging in the pandemic and volunteers are keeping records of their stories.
For Nepal's migrant and daily wage workers, lockdown is more dangerous than the coronavirus
Domestic daily wage labourers and migrant workers are among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Nepal.
Bangladesh's frontline health workers contend with resource scarcity, stigma and restrictions
In Bangladesh frontline health worker workers are facing an unprecedented level of hardship, and also some criticism.
Indigenous people in Australia prepare for COVID-19
With more than 150,000 of Australia's indigenous people living in remote areas and often facing major health issues, special emphasis is being put on protecting this vulnerable population against COVID-19.
Sierra Leone lifts 10-year ban on pregnant girls attending school
Sierra Leone finally lifts a discriminatory policy that barred pregnant girls from attending school in a new bid to form a more inclusive nation and address injustices against young women.
Africans in China targeted by xenophobia amid fear of second-wave COVID-19 outbreak
China has seen a surge in the number of imported COVID-19 cases and the African community has become an easy target for "virus control" and xenophobic sentiments.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Waiting for the lifting of the lockdown
"There are more than 30,000 confirmed cases in Wuhan, and we will wait for a long time before the lockdown is lifted."
Ahead of contentious elections, Burundi faces its first COVID-19 cases
The upcoming election in Burundi has been surrounded by concerns over security and transparency. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic poses another public safety concern.