Stories from April, 2020
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...
Jamaican activists spent Earth Day at home, online
Jamaican netizens explored the connections between COVID-19 and climate change and the response has been so strong that Earth Day has turned into Earth Week.
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.
In Colombia, solidarity movements multiply during the COVID-19 pandemic
Almost half of Colombia's population depend on informal work.
COVID-19 creates more uncertainty for migrant workers in India
The spread of COVID-19 in India leads to economic and geographical displacement of migrant workers.
Trinidad & Tobago photographers commemorate Earth Day 2020 with online challenge
"We're trying to keep the topics upbeat in order to keep people focused, and steer everyone's mental state in a positive direction while practising social distancing."
Top Japanese pop stars upload music to YouTube to boost spirits during lockdown
With their spring and summer stadium tours canceled, a variety of Japanese pop superstars decided to help lift the spirits of fans who were now largely confined to home.
Malaria vaccine may offer respite from Africa’s greatest health scourge
After three decades of research, the RTS,S malaria vaccine backed by the WHO is getting piloted at a health centre in Kenya for the first time.
COVID-19 is also affecting Venezuela's indigenous migrants
Venezuela's borders with Brazil and Colombia have been closed since mid-March, the use of illegal paths and crossings has increased, with its related dangers.
Six false statements by Serbian government officials on COVID-19
Government officials are helping spread disinformation about the pandemic.
Nepali cartoonists illustrate the country’s COVID-19 crisis
Nepali cartoonists use satire and comedy to depict the country under lockdown.
Beijing stages crackdowns on Hong Kong’s opposition amid COVID-19 pandemic
Over a span of just five days, the city saw its legislature, judiciary, legal system and civil society come under threat.
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.
COVID-19 spells disaster for Brazil's overcrowded prisons as first inmate death recorded
The country has over 750,000 people living in prisons. It's the third-largest prison population worldwide, coming behind the US and China.
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.