Updates on the COVID-19 pandemic
Our work focuses on the social dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-cutting themes are the political economy of the epidemic and responses to it, diverse forms of knowledge and experience, state-society relationships, history and context.
Explore resources created by the team and other relevant resources from the sector.
Photo credit: UNICEF/Volpe
Parents in line to receive their food bag at La Paz School Complex No. 2 in zone 5 of Guatemala City.
Vulnerabilities and precarity
Briefings
Key Considerations: Indigenous Peoples in COVID-19 Response and Recovery
Key considerations for COVID-19 response and recovery in indigenous populations, with a particular focus on the Amazon region of South America
Briefings
Community Resilience: Key Concepts and their Applications to Epidemic Shocks
Exploring how the concepts of community resilience can be applied to epidemics
Briefings
Key Considerations: Operational Considerations for Building Community Resilience for COVID-19 Response and Recovery
How health and humanitarian practitioners can support communities to respond to, and recover from COVID-19 using a community resilience approach.
Evidence Reviews
In-Focus: COVID-19, Uncertainty, Vulnerability and Recovery in India
How COVID-19 has intersected with and multiplied existing uncertainties faced by different vulnerable groups and communities in India
Journal Article
COVID-19 in LMICs: The Need to Place Stigma Front and Centre to its Response
This paper assesses potential driving factors of COVID-19-related stigma, and how this intersects with existing stigma fault lines and explores mechanisms through which COVID-19-related stigma may be counteracted, with a focus on LMICs
Case Studies
Psychological Resilience, Fragility and the Health Workforce: Lessons on Pandemic Preparedness from Liberia and Sierra Leone
Looking at evidence from Liberia and Sierra Leone, this paper shares learning on how to protect the mental health of health care workers in fragile settings.
Infographics
COVID-19: Supporting Forcibly Displaced People in the Middle East and East Africa
COVID-19 is compounding vulnerabilities experienced by populations forcibly displaced by war
Evidence Reviews
The Emerging Lessons on Urban Vulnerability and Safety from COVID-19 in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Reflections on the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 in LMICs
Evidence Reviews
Background Paper: COVID-19 in the Context of Forced Displacement: Perspectives from the Middle East and East Africa
How is the pandemic accentuating existing vulnerabilities of populations forcibly displaced by war?
Briefings
Operational Considerations: COVID-19 and Forced Displacement in the Middle East and East Africa
Summary including collaborating with local groups and adopting holistic approaches.
Briefings
COVID-19 Management in Marginalised Populations in Southeast Asia
Key considerations focusing on transnational migrants, informal workers, and people living in informal settlements.
Briefings
COVID-19 in the Context of Conflict and Displacement – Myanmar
Key considerations focusing on how conflict, displacement and inter-communal tensions may influence disease control in Myanmar.
Briefings
COVID-19: Why Are Prisons at Particular Risk, and What Can Be Done to Mitigate This?
Particular risks associated with an outbreak in prisons in low-and middle-income countries and suggestions of some approaches that may be used to mitigate risks.
Infographics
COVID-19: Strategies To Slow The Spread In Prisons
Prison populations are extremely vulnerable in this pandemic.
Briefings
Key Considerations: COVID-19 in Informal Urban Settlements
Key considerations for protecting informal urban settlements from the spread and impacts of COVID-19.
Infographics
Informal Urban Settlements and COVID-19
The potential burdens of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income cities are concerning.
Briefings
The Psychological Needs of Healthcare Staff as a Result of the Coronavirus Pandemic
Considerations for the wellbeing needs of all healthcare staff (clinical and non-clinical)
Vaccines
Evidence Reviews
Data Synthesis: COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions in Africa: Social and Behavioural Science Data, March 2020 – March 2021
This synthesis brings together data related to public perceptions about COVID-19 vaccines collected in 22 countries in Africa
Evidence Reviews
Rapid Review: Perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines in South Africa
This review draws on multiple secondary data sources to inform RCCE strategies and policies and provides examples of successful practice
Case Studies
COVID-19 school closures in the DRC: impact on the health, protection and education of children and youth
Our work focuses on the social dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-cutting themes are the political economy of the epidemic and responses to it, diverse forms of knowledge and experience, state-society relationships, history and context. Explore resources created by the…
Briefings
Rapid Review: Vaccine Hesitancy and Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccination
This brief draws on social science literature and informal interviews with experts to illustrate that vaccine hesitancy is complex and context-specific, and often reflects diverse, everyday anxieties. It proposes strategies to guide actors involved in vaccine development, communication and deployment…
Infographics
COVID-19: Going Beyond Misinformation To Build Vaccine Confidence
Boosting vaccine confidence requires far more than simply providing information.
Briefings
Clinical and Vaccine Trials for COVID-19: Key Considerations from Social Science
The following brief outlines how, and in what ways, social science can contribute to ongoing/future COVID-19 clinical and vaccine trials
Briefings
COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment: Behaviour, Ethics, Misinformation and Policy Strategies
Rapid review offering policy recommendations for vaccine deployment
Infographics
COVID-19: Using Social Science in Clinical and Vaccine Trials
How can social science be used in COVID-19 clinical and vaccine trials?
Public health measures
Journal Article
COVID-19 response: mitigating negative impacts on other areas of health
This analysis highlights the drivers and evidence of the negative impact of 'vertical’ responses focused primarily on preventing and containing COVID-19
Briefings
Smart Cities and COVID-19: Implications for Data Ecosystems from Lessons Learned in India
Best data practice recommendations for the use of technology for surveillance, fact-checking and coordinated control during crisis or emergency response.
Case Studies
Learning about COVID-19-related stigma, quarantine and isolation experiences in Finland
This study explores the forms and outcomes of coronavirus and COVID-19-related social stigma and the experiences of people who were home quarantined or isolated in Finland during the spring 2020
Field Notes
Responding to COVID-19 in Africa: Using data to find a balance – Part III Calls to Action
This report distills key insights from The Partnership for Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19 (PERC)’s third survey conducted in February 2021
Background Reports
Lockdowns and easing of restrictions: What can be done to adapt to local contexts and protect those who are vulnerable?
This SSHAP-Africa CDC Webinar brought together representatives of the Member States as well as from civil society organisations, humanitarian actors and professional organisations
Briefings
Key Considerations: Emerging Evidence on Shielding Vulnerable Groups During COVID-19
Considerations around the social acceptability and implementation of shielding in low- and middle-income countries
Evidence Reviews
Broader Health Impacts of Vertical Responses to COVID-19 in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs)
Review of the effects of vertical responses to COVID-19 on health systems, services, and people’s access to and use of them in LMICs
Infographics
COVID-19: Shielding Vulnerable Groups
Considerations around the social acceptability and implementation of shielding in low- and middle-income countries
Infographics
COVID-19: Preventing Broader Health Impacts of Pandemic Responses
Review of the effects of vertical responses to COVID-19 on health systems, services, and people’s access to and use of them in LMICs
Evidence Reviews
Considerations for Home and Community-Based Care for COVID-19
Why home care is important, and an overview of existing guidance and models, with an emphasis on low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs).
Briefings
Considerations and Principles for Shielding People at High Risk of Severe Outcomes from COVID-19
Including proposed approaches to shielding, who may be included in shielding groups, as well as the likely difficulties of these measures, and ways to mitigate them.
Briefings
Compliance with Physical Distancing Measures for COVID-19 and Implications for RCCE in Eastern and Southern Africa
Practical considerations for communication strategies and messaging on physical distancing.
Briefings
Quarantine in the Context of COVID-19
Key considerations relating to the design and impact of measures that restrict human movement patterns.
Infographics
Shielding People At High Risk Of Severe Illness Or Death
Protecting people at high risk by limiting their contact with others during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Infographics
Distancing In Eastern And Southern Africa
Why is physical distancing a challenge in Eastern and Southern Africa in the context of COVID-19?
Briefings
Recommandations Clés pour les Équipes de Réponse Contre la MVE en Équateur
Évidences pour soutenir le MSP et les acteurs qui répondent à la 11ème épidémie d'Ebola en RDC
Briefings
Perceptions et Impacts des Mesures COVID sur l’Utilisation et l’Accès aux Services de Santé
Une étude longitudinale sur les impacts secondaires des mesures COVID en Kinshasa
Briefings
Social Sciences Research Guidance on HCW Surveys in Humanitarian Contexts
How can we use HCW surveys in humanitarian contexts?
Briefings
Perceptions des Mesures Barrières pour la Prévention et le Contrôle du COVID-19
Une étude sur les options de protection des personnes vulnérables à domicile
Policy, evidence and governance
Briefings
6 Ways to Incorporate Social Context and Trust in Infodemic Management
This brief explains how social science can inform infodemiology by making it more attuned to different social, political and cultural contexts and to the relationships between people and formal institutions.
Briefings
Social Dimensions of the novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Outbreak and Response: Meeting Report
Report from a roundtable meeting at the Wellcome Trust, London, 3rd February 2020.
Foresight Papers
COVID-19 Forum
A collection bringing together seventeen anthropologists and historians in an effort to share ideas, analytical frameworks and concerns about the ongoing epidemic from interdisciplinary perspectives.
Communication and engagement
Evidence Reviews
RCCE Strategies to Overcome COVID-19 Fatigue in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa
This brief synthesises evidence published by UNICEF on social and cultural influences for sustained COVID-19 prevention and risk reduction behaviours in the Eastern Mediterranean / Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Infographics
COVID-19: Implications of Cross-Border Traffic in Eastern and Southern Africa
Most countries have restricted entry to reduce transmission of COVID-19
Briefings
COVID-19 RCCE Strategies for Cross-Border Movement in Eastern and Southern Africa
Key considerations for risk communication and community engagement strategies
Briefings
Online Information, Mis- and Disinformation in the Context of COVID-19
Practical considerations relating to flows of information, misinformation and disinformation though online media, particularly social media networks.
Infographics
COVID-19: Online Information
What can public bodies do to communicate accurate information and prevent disinformation?
Briefings
Risks Related to Population Movement and Gatherings During Ramadan
Key considerations in relation to COVID-19 during the holy month of Ramadan on the continent of Africa.
Briefings
Do You Speak COVID-19?
Millions of marginalised people lack basic information about how to keep themselves and their communities safe and well.
Death, burials and mourning
Background Reports
Death and Funerary Practices in the Context of Epidemics: Upholding the Rights of Religious Minorities
An exploration of the conflict between biomedical understandings of death and funerary practices within epidemic responses, and religious minorities’ freedom of belief and practice
Briefings
Dying, Bereavement and Mortuary and Funerary Practices in the Context of COVID-19
Key considerations for events related to death, burial, funerals (rites, ceremonies and practices) and mourning.
Tools
Assessing Key Considerations for Burial Practices, Death and Mourning in Epidemics
Highlighting key considerations for rapidly appraising burial/funerary practices and beliefs around death/dying during an epidemic.
Infographics
Strategies To Support Those Affected By Deaths During The COVID-19 Outbreak
Changes to customary burial and funeral practices can have long-term consequences for people's psychosocial health.
Notes from the field
Field Notes
“Hunger will kill us before the coronavirus does!”
Africa is particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus and the effects of restrictions.
