ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to survey the perspective of leaders of social organisations in the most populous informal settlement in the Greater La Plata conurbation, in Argentina, on the main problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the strategies they deploy to reproduce everyday life in a context of deepening inequalities. The work adopts a scientific position that aims not only to produce knowledge but also to recognise the actors involved, in order to contribute to the strengthening of a neighbourhood network through Participatory Action Research techniques. The article is based on sustained fieldwork throughout the year 2020 and interviews with representatives of organisations based in the neighbourhood. The survey reveals the worsening of poverty conditions, the increase in demand for soup kitchens and the insufficiency of income transfer policies. The health measures adopted by the pandemic had a strong impact on contexts of high social, economic and environmental vulnerability such as the one studied. In order to sustain the reproduction of life in this scenario of instability and uncertainty, social organisations with a territorial base strengthened their articulation in order to strengthen the role of assistance, containment and solidarity. © 2022 Universidad Nacional de Colombia. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Several public policies were proposed to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic. This work aimed to determine how a management model is capable of strengthening the community network, providing support, healthcare and channelling public government's aid during COVID-19 pandemic situation. Methods: It is an intervention study that tested the effectiveness of a management model for both healthcare and essential goods access in a socially vulnerable neighbourhood called 'Puente de Fierro' in La Plata the capital of Buenos Aires State, Argentina, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Altos de San Lorenzo suburb area was considered as control group. Variables studied were: level of contagion and death due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus;access to food, medicine and other goods;strengthening of community networks;performance of government programmes in territory. Results: A new management paradigm was tested by moving essential goods towards the people, instead of making the people move to obtain those benefits. Accessibility to 'Food Bag' and 'Food Bank' were significantly increased, a reduction of contagion level and mortality rate for COVID-19 was achieved (2.3/100 000 vs 3.6/100 000 inhabitants in control area;and 'fatality rate' was 2.8% vs 3.6%, respectively). Support was also provided to installed in local stores virtual payment devices for food cards acceptance. Conclusion: The management model based in healthcare and goods and service supplies during COVID-19 pandemic reduced the negative impact of disease and its measures of isolation in socially vulnerable neighbourhoods.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to survey the perspective of leaders of social organisations in the most populous informal settlement in the Greater La Plata conurbation, in Argentina, on the main problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the strategies they deploy to reproduce everyday life in a context of deepening inequalities. The work adopts a scientific position that aims not only to produce knowledge but also to recognise the actors involved, in order to contribute to the strengthening of a neighbourhood network through Participatory Action Research techniques. The article is based on sustained fieldwork throughout the year 2020 and interviews with representatives of organisations based in the neighbourhood. The survey reveals the worsening of poverty conditions, the increase in demand for soup kitchens and the insufficiency of income transfer policies. The health measures adopted by the pandemic had a strong impact on contexts of high social, economic and environmental vulnerability such as the one studied. in order to sustain the reproduction of life in this scenario of instability and uncertainty, social organisations with a territorial base strengthened their articulation in order to strengthen the role of assistance, containment and solidarity.