
COVID-19 Response
Recoding of GCAP Global Webinar on Vaccine Inequality from April 6, 2022
The Omicron variant of the Coronavirus, though milder, could spread in lightning speed affecting large populace in a short span. The need of hospitalisation was comparatively less than the earlier variants, but the pressure on the health system was well witnessed in the rich, middle and low income countries. The rich countries in Europe are now administering the booster doses to their people while the Asia the countries are far from full vaccination of its people due to lack of vaccine availability. The overall vaccination in Africa remains around 11% of its population1. Though there is vaccine hesitancy in the region, the prime reason is the lack of vaccine availability. Vaccine hesitancy also exists in other regions including Asia and Europe. Download the PP slides from Maaza Seyoum, Global South Convener, People’s Vaccine Alliance here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWO7iey61P8 The artificial shortage of vaccines created by monopolising the technology has resulted in mutation of the virus in regular intervals and affecting humanity. It’s very clear that even if the people in rich countries are fully vaccinated, they remain vulnerable. The proof is the scale at which France, Germany, UK and other European countries, where the vaccination rate is quite high, have been engulfed by the Omicron variant. The situation endorses the slogan of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the CSOs fighting for vaccine equality including GCAP, People’s Vaccine Alliance and others, that “No one is safe, till everyone is safe”. The rich countries like the UK, Germany and European Union have been blocking the demand for a TRIPS waiver of the Covid vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics by coming under the pressure of the greedy Pharma companies, thus endangering the lives of people in low and middle income countries so also in rich countries. This is despite clamour by the civil society, global leaders and low and middle income countries for last more than a year. Of late the European Union (EU) has acknowledged that the intellectual property restrictions are a barrier to access vaccines. It has entered into negotiation with India and South Africa and has proposed a compromised formula. This proposal however has been criticised a lot and it has been rejected by the People’s Vaccine Alliance and world leaders like Ban Ki-Moon, who suggests that India and South Africa should not accept half measure by west when lives are on line during the Covid-19 pandemic. While the global supply of vaccines is discriminatory and unequal creating a north-south divide, studies and observations in global south suggest the discrimination in vaccination among the marginalised groups including women, indigenous communities, transgender communities, migrants, communities discriminated by work and descent (CDWD), persons with disabilities (PwD) and there is also a rural and urban divide. The covid has severely impacted the livelihood of people forcing millions into poverty and unemployment. The only way out is to fully vaccinate the global population and formulate policies for free and universal vaccination in the country. With these developments, GCAP proposes a global webinar on Vaccine Inequality with the following objectives.Actions on 11 March 2022 - the 2nd anniversary of the pandemic
We are now more than two years into the pandemic. On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 as pandemic. Millions of people have lost their lives and hundreds of millions lost their livelihood and eduction due to the pandemic. Many lives could have been saved, if rich countries and the Pharma companies producing the COVID vaccine agreed to share their knowledge widely without any intellectual property restrictions. This did not happen. Profit won over people! Only 11% of the people in Africa are vaccinated. Many GCAP Africa coalitions have sent letters to the embassies of Germany, France, the UK, EU and the USA to demand the TRIPS Waiver. They also organised press conferences and other gatherings, stunts & events. Some actions have been documented and can be found below. This action was done in cooperation with the People's Vaccine Campaign (PVA). GCAP Ghana
On the 2nd anniversary of the Pandemic, the civil society led by CONGOMA/GCAP Malawi demands the #TRIPSWaiver of Covid vaccines, test and treatment! #PeoplesVaccine #PeopleOverProfit #EndCOVIDMonopolies

African lives DO matter. Its time to say YES to PEOPLE, and NO to PROFIT! GCAP Nigeria demands a #PeoplesVaccine. #PeopleOverProfit #EndCOVIDMonopolies

Press Conference by GCAP Senegal: The western countries must support #TRIPSwaiver to help Africa manufacture Covid vaccines. #PeoplesVaccine #PeopleOverProfit #EndCOVIDMonopolies

A Press Conference by GCAP Zambia & video was produced to demand #TRIPSWaiver and #EndCOVIDMonopolies in Zambia
GCAP Africa press coverage related to the actions on 11 March 2022:
Tanzania- https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/two-years-of-covid-19-in-tanzania-stakeholders-want-copyright-exemption-on-vaccine-production-3748498
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UiGxmnEU2M (starting minute 7)
- https://realnewsmagazine.net/news/125434-NGOs-call-for-end-to-monopoly-of-COVID-19-vaccine-production
- https://phenomenal.com.ng/2022/03/ngos-call-for-end-to-monopoly-of-covid-19-vaccine-production
- https://themalawiexclusive.com/congoma-condemns-world-super-powers-for-monopolising-covid-19-vaccine-manufacturing/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Y2_i6BlM8&feature=youtu.be
- https://www.facebook.com/1804116909846358/posts/3168341380090564
- https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=421215833139127&id=100057521406941
- https://www.modernghana.com/news/1144639/remove-patent-rights-on-vaccine-productiongcap.html
- https://amaghanaonline.com/2022/03/12/remove-patent-rights-on-vaccine-production-gcap-abibinsroma-foundation
Sustainable Equality for All Emerging from COVID-19

GCAP National Coalition members in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Japan led the embassy actions organised by People's Vaccine Alliance, Asia Chapter on 27-28 July when the WTO General Council meeting took place. The members sent letters demanding support for the TRIPS Waiver proposal by email to the embassy of UK, Germany, EU, Norway, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. These are the countries and groups which are either opposing or not clearly supporting the TRIPS waiver proposal put forward by India and South Africa on Covid vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics and medicines. Colleagues from other networks and coalitions, such as APMD, also joined the mobilisation efforts! How to finance a People´s Vaccine? An article in the New York times gave the answer on June 24, 2021:
The #IMF could issue Special Drawing Rights #SDR, which would give countries a "shot" at recovery and provide much needed liquidity and fiscal stimulus package as described in a new article in the New York Times: https://t.co/tX58KjcHIq#FacesOfInequality
— Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) (@whiteband) June 29, 2021
People’s Vaccine Webinar in May 2021
“If the dangerous trend of vaccine nationalism & hoarding in wealthier countries continues, it could delay a global recovery. We must ensure that vaccines are available & affordable to all as soon as possible.” Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General on April 5, 2021.
Webinar invitation

GCAP joins alliance to demand a People´s Vaccine - peoplesvaccine.org

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.

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!


- GCAP Newsletter June 2020 – Global Solidarity Action! - 3 June 2020
- GCAP Newsletter May 2020 – 22/05: Global Solidarity Action – #StrongerTogether! - 20 May 2020
- GCAP toolkit of #StrongerTogether colorful example actions for global solidarity
- SolidarityinAction.org: #StrongerTogether microsite
- Covid Citizen Action campaign Trello board with graphics with key messages and sample posts
- #StrongerTogether Trello board – more materials and info!
Key information and statements
- COVID-19 : Global Joint Civil Society Statement - 24 April 2020
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.

- GCAP on COVID-19: Putting the Most Vulnerable First - 20 March 2020
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.
- Results of GCAP survey on COVID-19 - May 7 2020
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 on Covid-19 and Racism - 30 April 2020
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.
- Evacuate refugee camps to prevent a catastrophe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic - 24 March 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
- Needs of Women with Disabilities Must Be Critically Addressed in the Fight Against COVID-19 - 22 May 2020

Statement by Social Justice Task Force
GCAP National Coalitions
Asia
- GCAP Asia statement released on the eve of 7th APFSD - 18 May 2020
- GCAP Afghanistan: GCAP Afghanistan / Afghanistan Global Civil Society Consortium Joint Statement on Prevention of COVID-19 - 25 March 2020
- GCAP Cambodia : Joint Statement on COVID-19 - 6 April 2020
- GCAP India: WNTA Statement on COVID-19 Emergency in India - 24 March 2020
- GCAP Japan: Now is the time to take measures based on the principles of the SDGs: Japan Civil Society Network on SDGs Statement on combating COVID-19 - 6 April 2020
- GCAP Nepal: An Appeal for Solidarity and Support to Cope with the Coronavirus (COVID 19) Pandemic in Nepal - 31 March 2020
- GCAP Pakistan:
- Pakistan CSOs Statement on COVID 19 Response by Government - 27 April 2020
- Statement from GCAP Pakistan on COVID-19 Outbreak - 25 March 2020
- GCAP Mauritius: GCAP Mauritius & Halley Movement Coalition Statement on COVID-19 - 2 April 2020
- GCAP Malawi: COVID-19 National Preparedness and Response - 31 March 2020
- GCAP Senegal: GCAP Senegal Position on COVID-19 - 2 April 2020
- GCAP Uganda: Statement on COVID-19 - 6 April 2020
- GCAP Zambia: Zambia and COVID-19 - 3 April 2020
- GCAP Zimbabwe:
- COVID-19: Promoting support for diverse communities in Zimbabwe - 31 March 2020
- NANGO newsletter documenting COVID-19 outbreak in Zimbabwe - 17 April 2020