Stories about Humanitarian Response from May, 2020
29 May 2020
Quarantine debates in Zanzibar conjure memories of colonial racial segregation
In light of Zanzibar’s complex history of racial segregation in the name of public health, social distancing and quarantine measures have been controversial in the fight against COVID-19.
Could COVID-19 help push peace forward in Yemen?
While leaders have stalled on a unified response to ending the violence to deal with the virus, several activist groups in Yemen are pushing forward a ceasefire agenda.
28 May 2020
COVID-19 tune educates, empowers Indonesia’s remote Marapu community
"Let’s just stay at home. Let’s wash our hands diligently to protect our health and lives."
26 May 2020
Southern African leaders meet to address urgent security threats in Mozambique
SADC states have been urged to support Mozambique’s government to fight against terrorists and armed groups attacking civilians and infrastructure in Cabo Delgado Province.
24 May 2020
Will the ‘Self-reliant India’ scheme bring relief to migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced another economic reform package of 265 Billion USD during the COVID-19 pandemic which drew criticism from netizens.
22 May 2020
Burundi voted — but will the political situation change?
Burundians voted on May 20 for a new president, with official results expected next week. The new president will face pressing questions on international relations, media repression, inclusive economic policies and...
20 May 2020
Stranded Nepali migrant workers protest to return home, Nepali government drags its feet
Nepal's government tries to stall repatriating migrant workers stranded abroad.
18 May 2020
Journalists in Russia's regions catalogue the ‘unseen victims’ of COVID-19
The wider social and economic consequences of COVID-19 have destroyed livelihoods and sometimes ended lives. Coronavictims.ru exists to catalogue what its founders call the "unseen" victims of the pandemic.
15 May 2020
Truck drivers blamed for spread of COVID-19 in East Africa
Truck drivers in East Africa face an onslaught of new COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in borders towns — causing confusion, fear, endless traffic queues, protests and disrupted trade.
11 May 2020
In Bangladesh, criticism of government response to the COVID-19 pandemic is risky
"Would it be wrong if someone says that the authorities in Bangladesh, equipped with Digital Security Act, launched a crackdown on those critical to the government?"
COVID-19 regulations and the issue of overcrowding in Jamaica's markets
The detection of more than 100 positive coronavirus cases at a call centre seriously spiked Jamaica's numbers and prompted stricter safety regulations — but have some backfired?
The nightmare in Syria continues amid new coronavirus fears
The gathering of displaced persons in Idlib, Syria, has sparked international concern that this community — living under the harshest conditions — could be deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
9 May 2020
Thailand's homeless particularly at risk amid COVID-19 pandemic
"Since I didn’t have enough money to go home, I decided to become a homeless person and stay here."
4 May 2020
Mozambique gets creative with handmade anti-virus gear
The government has advised people to make homemade masks using capulanas – a traditional Mozambican cloth generally worn by women – and other readily available materials.
COVID-19, locusts and floods: East Africa's triple dilemma
East Africa's "triple threat" — the coronavirus, locusts, and floods — are not mutually exclusive. In fact, each is inextricably linked.
1 May 2020
Pandemic pushes more than 34,000 Venezuelan migrants home
Around 500 migrants are arriving at the Colombian border city of Cúcuta every day intending to return to Venezuela. As of April 15, a total of 34,000 people had passed...
