COVID-19 Response

GCAP has been active in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. On this page you can find our resources and statements.

The impact of the crisis on the poorest and most vulnerable groups is becoming increasingly evident. Recent analysis shows that the COVID crisis risks pushing half a billion people into poverty The UN has estimated that the pandemic could almost double the number of people suffering acute hunger, pushing it to more than a quarter of a billion by the end of 2020 and there are predictions of at least 15m more cases of domestic violence around the world this year as a result of pandemic restrictions.

In response to the global crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented coalition of over 400 organisations working on human rights and sustainable development in every continent have come together, co-organized by GCAP, including community volunteers, local civil society groups, and major non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to demand a 12-point plan from world leaders. As governments consider key steps towards recovery, we are calling for a joined up plan to fight the crisis and build a just recovery that tackles the interlinked challenges of providing universal healthcare, reducing inequalities and guaranteeing human rights; alongside the critical need to re-think our economies in response to the parallel crises of climate change and biodiversity.

There are also clear political messages from GCAP’s network:

  • We cannot build back the system as it was before…
  • …a system of exclusion and suffering for so many, a system that destroys the climate and biodiversity – no money for fossil fuel industries
  • We need to demand immediate debt cancellation and tax justice – for example no recovery money for companies using tax havens,
  •  and we need to protect civic space curtailed by many governments.

GCAP has been active and our colleagues are reporting activities happening at local and national levels – there is such solidarity taking place! Read GCAP’s statement on COVID-19: Putting the Most Vulnerable First.

We would like to encourage you to support for the most vulnerable. We need to continue this spirit the coming weeks and months to avoid more suffering.

The public and politicians need to hear the voices of marginalized peoples and civil society!

Let’s start a movement for global solidarity and a just and ecological recovery now!

Global Day of Solidarity – 22 May

GCAP and other CSOs organized a mass social media movement on 22 May under the hashtag #StrongerTogether. The results were impressive: 6,000 posts which reached 43 million people & 126 million impressions in 100+ countries. Read more about the Global Day of Solidarity and see the materials below:

Key information and statements

GCAP developed and signed together with several hundred organizations the following statement. See also the campaign website covidcitizenaction.org, where you can also sign the statement, see a map of global actions, and find our advocacy letter template.

The world is facing a global emergency affecting people and countries with no distinctions. In this particular time the Global Call for Action against Poverty (GCAP), with all its National Coalitions and Constituency Groups all over the world, wants to share its concerns and solidarity with all the people suffering from the coronavirus pandemic, and with all the communities struggling against the outbreak. Our political motto is “Stand Together” to struggle for justice, against poverty and inequalities. Today we want to stand together with those who are suffering, with victim’s families, and with all the affected communities. We also want to share a special thanks to all the people working to stop the outbreak, in the health systems and in all other fundamental services, and to the people assisting those who are in need. Read more.

To better understand the responses and the needs that have arisen due to the COVID-19 crisis around the world, GCAP conducted a survey in April of the GCAP National Coalitions, of Civil Society Organisations and Constituency Groups. A total of 25 answers were received from 19 countries and two Constituency Groups – the Social Justice Task Force and the Women’s and Feminist Constituency Group.

GCAP strongly condemns the recent cases of racism in relation with the Coronavirus pandemic and calls for strong reactions from governments, civil society and the international community.

Over 200 networks and organisations have signed a statement calling for cancellation of debt payments in 2020.

GCAP Europe together with 200 civil society organisations in Europe has signed an urgent appeal to the EU’s leading politicians and the head of the Greek government: “We urge you to evacuate the refugee camps and hotspots on the Greek islands immediately in order to prevent a catastrophe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Leave No Woman Behind Statement

Women and girls with disabilities represent more than half of all persons with disabilities worldwide and almost 20% of all women worldwide. But their needs and rights are largely unmet, clothed in invisibility. These existing gender, age, disability and structural inequalities in public and private environments are being exacerbated by the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Read more.

 

Statement by Social Justice Task Force

GCAP National Coalitions 

Asia

Africa

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)