Fiscal Policies and Post-COVID-19 Development Challenges: An Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented crisis. The pandemic poses a significant threat to human security and existing developmental challenges, compelling emergency spending on saving lives and securing livelihoods. Despite being in the ongoing traumatic phases of the global pandemic, the world is further expected to face undue developmental challenges due to the fourth industrial revolution and climate change. In a massive effort to save the global economies and protecting livelihoods, national governments had been obliged to announce stimulus (fiscal) packages and create local and regional funds to boost up domestic production and ensure food, water, and energy security. This chapter intends to provide a broader overview of the implications of fiscal stimulus toward sustainable recovery and address post-COVID-19 developmental challenges in a cross-country setting. Although expectantly incentivizing through fiscal policies will mobilize food security, public health, climate security and environment, migrant worker and urban resilience, gender, education, and facilitate attainment of the respective sustainable development goals (SDGs);sustainable recovery could largely vary based upon national resilience and the extant developmental framework. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

Co-evolution of Pandemic, Human Security, and Technology

COVID-19 pandemic has placed a huge burden on the healthcare system, and mainly on healthcare workers who have faced the biggest challenges and concerns in their health profession toward the unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus worldwide. Science and technology for handling a pandemic has always been there in some form in different countries. This chapter presents key lessons from various community-based activities where technologies have been widely used and emphasizes the importance of interfacing science policy practice to sustainable development. Relative importance and emphasis of science and technology for human security gets mentioned as well. Further, case studies of a few nations illustrate the existence of a good partnership of science technology groups and different other stakeholders. However, the need to strengthen this partnership with a clearer direction and strategy for implementation as a mechanism to foster collaboration across global and regional mechanisms and institutions for the implementation and coherence of instruments and tools relevant to Human Security and Health for all. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

Developmental Agenda and the Global Pandemic

With the perspective of global pandemic, the chapter looks at the developmental issues through a systematic review of current literature on seven mainstream human security indicators: health, economy, food, education, environment, personal, community, and political security. After conceptualising the pandemic's contribution towards sustainability and human security, the chapter presents illustrative questions in the discussion section to understand the application of the human security concepts in practice. The pandemic has affected the key basic SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) related to health, income, food, education, environment, and others, and affected the community as a whole as well, through aggravated physical and psychological stress at the community level. Evidently, the SDGs and other global developmental agenda have faced a setback since 2019 due to the deep and systematic negative consequences of the current pandemic. How can nations, in these circumstances, remove systemic inequality and prioritise growth? In the chapter, we raise some questions for discussion on how to alleviate the impacts and put the world on track towards development. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

Urban–Rural Linkages and Their Implication to Human Security in Pandemic Time

Evident through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, the wider impacts of pandemics stretch far beyond the immediate and devastating loss of human lives. Beyond the health crisis, the pandemics often turn out to be a crisis for human security, as the unprecedented movement restrictions disrupt the lives of all people and their freedom to live with dignity. The core issues pertaining to limited healthcare capacities, job losses, economic slowdown, etc., also bring forth a range of inequity issues for urban and rural populations within a regional space, which are closely interlinked through spatial and sectoral linkages. While the geographically dispersed rural populations often depend on their urban counterparts for access to emergency services, they are often disproportionately impacted by a crisis situation due to the persisting connectivity gaps and socioeconomic barriers. Several such experiences have also been made during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which call for revisiting the contemporary developmental planning from human security perspective, so as to safeguard the survival, livelihood, and dignity of the diverse urban and rural populations. This chapter highlights the key lessons from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation and offers a forward-looking perspective on strengthening urban–rural linkages for consideration by the policymakers. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

Introduction: Global Pandemic, Human Security, Technology and Development

Human security concept has evolved over the last 20 years and covers the broader aspects of development, environment, and disaster risk reduction perspectives. In general, human security concerns itself with safeguarding and expanding people's vital freedom, with the ambition "freedom from want,” "freedom from fear,” and "freedom to live with dignity.” COVID-19, the global pandemic, has affected the lives and livelihoods of people globally, including the human security issues from losing livelihoods to losing choices for education, access to health, and safe water. Different technologies (both existing and emerging) are being used globally to address these issues, albeit differentially, creating a significant digital/technology divide. The divide would have a much larger impact on human security in the near future. On the contrary, social innovation plays an important positive role to address the challenges of human security. With this context, the chapter provides some historical perspective on the evolution of the concept of human security, its relation to different development, environment, and disaster-related frameworks, and role of technology in achieving human security. The chapter provides an overview of the book with a short introduction of each chapter and provides a few ways forward at the end. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

Global Pandemic and Human Security: Technology and Development Perspective

This book highlights how the human security aspect has been affected by the global pandemic, based on the specific case study, field data, and evidence. COVID-19 has exemplified that the pandemic is global, but its responses are local. The responses depend on national governance and policy framework, use of technology and innovation, and people's perceptions and behavior, among many others. There are many differences in how the pandemic has affected the rich and the poor, urban and rural sectors, development and fiscal sectors, and developed and developing nations and communities. Echoing human security principles, the 2030 Agenda emphasized a "world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want… free of fear and violence… with equitable and universal access to quality education, health care, and social protection….to safe drinking water and sanitation… where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious… where habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable…and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.” These basic human security [PA1] principles and development agenda are highly affected by the global pandemic worldwide, irrespective of its development and economic status. Thus, the book highlights the nexus between human security and development issues. It has two major pillars, one is the development and the other is technology issues. These two inter-dependent topics are discussed in the perspective of the global pandemic, making this the most important feature of this book. While the world is still in the middle of a pandemic, and possibly other natural and biological hazards may affect peoples' lives and livelihoods in the future, this book provides some key learning, which can be used to cope with future uncertainties, including climate risks. Thus, the book is timely and relevant to wider readers. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer 2022.

Community-Based Approach for Climate Resilience and COVID-19: Case Study of a Climate Village (Kampung Iklim) in Balikpapan, Indonesia

COVID-19 and climate change are widely recognized to negatively impact communities in developing countries. Like several other developing countries, Indonesia also dealt with climatic hazards such as flooding and landslides during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, after the Paris Agreement was signed, the government launched a "Climate Village” program or Kampung Iklim (ProKlim) to enhance community contribution in addressing climatic hazard impacts. Yet, numerous studies have researched integrating COVID-19 and climate change impacts, which calls for a concept of community resilience. To bridge this gap, the objective of this research is to understand and measure the local adaptation and mitigation activities in ProKlim through the smart village concept. Methodological literature review, situation analysis through interviews, and field observations are applied in this study. This research used five indicators to measure the current situation of the Climate Village, which are: resilience, mobility, community, perspectives and digitalization. The findings reveal that the implementation of smart villages in ProKlim is still in its preliminary stages and must seek innovation and system integration from smart cities and smart communities. This research also suggests feasible strategies to build community resilience: (i) collaborative governance in the Climate Village program implementation, (ii) promoting the Climate Village program to other sectors for ICT, and (iii) strengthening community participation in implementing the smart village concept. © 2023 by the authors.

Unpacking systemic, cascading, and compound risks: A case based analysis of Asia Pacific

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction aims to reduce disaster risk and loss by prioritizing activities that promote a better understanding of disaster risk. It prioritizes activities such as understanding disaster risk and its dimensions, with a focus on preventing the creation of new risks, reducing existing ones, and preparing for residual risks. The concept of systemic, cascading, and compound risks is becoming increasingly important in disaster risk management. However, there is a lack of understanding about these terms and how they overlap and differ in real-world applications. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the evolving and underlying risk patterns in our interconnected society, making it crucial to bridge this gap. The paper explores the existing literature on systemic, cascading, and compound risks, using a secondary literature review and content analysis. It provides a conceptual overview of the three risks and supports the review with an analysis of 40 case studies in the Asia Pacific region. The analysis focuses on the hazards, underlying vulnerabilities, impacted systems, and the complex interconnections between them. Based on the findings, the authors provide recommendations for the management of systemic, cascading, and compound risks in the future. © 2023

Head and neck reconstruction in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic era: outcomes and lessons learned

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the provision of non-COVID-19 related clinical services. Early recommendations for head and neck reconstructive surgery were based on guidance from expert groups, advocating de-intensification of surgery. Since then, patient outcomes derived data has suggested that the continued practice of head and neck reconstructive surgery based upon pre-pandemic standard of care is safe if appropriate measures are in place for appropriate screening and segregation of care pathways for patients. In addition, adequate levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) are vital for both patients and the healthcare team. We present the current practice guidance within the UK National Health Service (NHS) for head and neck reconstructive surgery in the COVID-19 pandemic era in the following areas: COVID-19 testing/screening, care pathways for patients, the potential future role of immunisation against SARS-CoV-2, airway management, selection of the type of reconstruction, postoperative care and rehabilitation. The guidance produced reflect the evolving nature of the response of NHS to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the suggested practice protocols could differ from local policies in various parts of the world however the principles which underlie these standards are the results of regular review of the needs of the patients and health service, balanced against the background of the ebb and flow of the prevalence of COVID-19 infection within the community and healthcare settings. © Frontiers of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine. All rights reserved.

Systemic risk management in India: An analytics perspective

The rapid changes in socio-economic and environmental factors worldwide have resulted in natural and man-made disasters becoming increasingly difficult to manage. The emergence of systemic threats that are cross-border, complex, ambiguous, and uncertain in nature, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has made traditional risk management methods inadequate. Many countries, including India, are struggling to address the challenges posed by these systemic vulnerabilities, leading to unresolved policy and governance problems. This research emphasises the need for comprehensive and proactive risk management methods that can address the challenges posed by systemic vulnerabilities, rather than reactive and fragmented approaches. The research identifies crucial turning points in India's disaster management history and explores the prospects for improved disaster risk governance in the country. The report underlines good advances in disaster administration in India, but it also emphasises the need for more systemic development in overall disaster risk management. The research identifies key design principles for India's systemic risk management that can help improve disaster risk management. This understanding can aid in developing effective frameworks, policies, and strategies to control systemic disaster risks and align with major international objectives such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. © 2023

Disaster risk reduction and G20: A major step forward

Disaster risks are increasing and changing their nature. The global risk landscape is evolving as new risks – many of them arising from cascading and inter-connected hazards – are arising. While significant achievements have been made to reduce loss of lives, economic and asset damages are still on the increasing trend. G20, which started as the major economic group meeting, has emerged over years as an influential political forum. While there have been several attempts to bring disaster risk reduction agenda to G20, the issue has not been addressed in a comprehensive and sustained manner. A new working group on Disaster Risk Reduction has been established under India's Presidency. This paper analyzes G20 and DRR risk reduction agenda's evolution, provides insights on India's contribution to the thematic area, and suggest future interventions required at G20. While Indian Prime Minister's 10-points agenda sets the future DRR interventions targets, India's leadership in DRR can be seen in terms of local level risk management framework, resilient infrastructure, financing of disaster risk management, social protection, people's engagement, and resource management. In addition to that, response to COVID-19 through the Disaster Management Act has set up a new milestone for multi hazards and all hazards risk management, including complex and cascading risks. Five specific areas that are urgently required are: 1) investment in resilient infrastructure, 2) digital infra and data management protocol, including open data, open governance, 3) use of disruptive and emerging technologies, 4) enhancement of technology transfer and market creation through private sector involvement, and 5) fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship in DRR. This will help not only the G20 nations, but also contribute to other vulnerable countries and communities. © 2023 The Authors

Picu Is Stressful*You Come across a Lot of Emotional Things: Staff Experiences of Well-Being in Paediatric Critical Care in the Uk

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Working in paediatric critical care (PCC) can be hugely rewarding and stimulating but can also be challenging. Staff working in PCC can experience burnout, moral distress, and other psychological difficulties. The current research has focused on primarily medical and nursing staff working PCC. There has been a paucity of research conducted on the wellbeing of allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) working in PCC. The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals', including AHP working in PCC experiences of wellbeing. METHOD(S): An exploratory qualitative design using interpretative phenomenological analysis visual enquiry was used to understand nurse and AHP experiences of wellbeing. All were required to be currently working in PCC within the UK. Interviews were conducted by a researcher independent to healthcare between April to June 2021. RESULT(S): Eight individuals participated in this study. The occupations of the participants included but was not limited to, nurses, clinical psychologists, and occupational therapists. The participants ranged in age from 27 to 62. Within this data four key themes were present;1) Understanding of what wellbeing means to them 2) Staff relationships 3) Consequences of COVID 19 and 4) Maintaining a balance between work and life outside work. CONCLUSION(S): This study provides unique insight into how nurses and AHPs working in PCC define wellbeing. Furthermore, this study highlights the challenges that relationships with colleagues, lack of autonomy and trying to achieve a balance between work life and home life has on an individual's wellbeing.

Understanding Challenges to Wellbeing among Medical and Nursing Staff Working in Paediatric Critical Care: An Enhanced Critical Incident Technique Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Staff working in paediatric critical care (PCC) experience high levels of burnout, compassion fatigue and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. We aimed to identify critical incidents inside or outside work which challenged staff's wellbeing, what hindered and helped;to identify successful strategies for maintaining workplace wellbeing. METHOD(S): Using the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique, individuals were asked to reflect on situations which challenged their wellbeing and to provide wish list items that would improve their workplace wellbeing RESULTS: Seven themes were identified (n=53): Covid-19 represented a significant challenge to wellbeing, yet it stimulated positive conversations about vulnerability. Shiftwork was experienced as challenging, especially with an Ageing workforce. Being older though brought self-awareness of one's limits and successful wellbeing strategies. Clinical investigations were distressing, sometimes worsened by opaque procedures. Yet support from seniors was available and highly valued. Frustration with Leadership was expressed, but PCC were described as quick to innovate and act. Patient outcomes sometimes led to moral distress, but news about patients' successes post discharge was rewarding. Facilities were described as unsatisfactory, except for some well-maintained quiet spaces. Finally, personal circumstances (e.g. bereavement, relationship breakdown) impacted staff's ability to work productively, but friends and family provided much-needed respite. Wishlist items included: self-rostering, recognising the impact of ageing and menopause, transparent investigation protocols, psychological support, communication training, comfortable spaces. CONCLUSION(S): Threats to wellbeing are multifaceted, but largely predictable. Knowing this, we need to develop protocols, support packages, and training to better equip staff to manage wellbeing prior to crisis.

Group vs Individual Trauma-Focused CBT for Parents of Premature Infants

Objectives: Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) has been established as an effective treatment to reduce symptoms of psychological distress including PTSD, anxiety, and depression in parents of preterm infants. The current study compares results of a group-based intervention developed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress with a prior study using an individual version of the treatment manual. Method(s): A total of 26 mothers of preterm infants (25-34 weeks' gestational age;>600 g) received 6 sessions of TF-CBT including psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, progressive muscle relaxation, and the writing and sharing of their trauma narrative. Outcomes were compared with a group of 62 mothers who participated in a prior RCT with individual therapy based on the same model. Results were also compared for mothers receiving in-person treatment vs telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Result(s): For the entire study period (baseline to follow-up), the individual intervention showed greater improvement in trauma symptoms assessed with Davidson Trauma Scale (d = 0.48;p =.016), although both conditions showed noticeable improvement. Similar patterns were found for maternal depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]) and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]). In-person treatment was found to be superior to telehealth treatment administered during the COVID-19 pandemic, although the difference was not significant. Conclusion(s): Group-based TF-CBT is an effective treatment modality for parents of premature infants with symptoms of psychological distress. However, recruitment of parents was difficult, raising questions about feasibility. Future group-therapy approaches will require a more flexible, open-ended group format in which parents have the option of participating without making a commitment for the full 6-session protocol. Given the national shortage of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-based psychological services, group therapy is a potentially viable and cost-effective way to deliver care. PTSD, PAT, P Copyright © 2022

Reflections on science, technology and innovation on the aspirations of the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction

PurposeThe Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction (DRR) 2015-2030 offers guidelines to reduce disaster losses and further delivers a wake-up call to be conscious of disasters. Its four priorities hinge on science, technology and innovations as critical elements necessary to support the understanding of disasters and the alternatives to countermeasures. However, the changing dynamics of current and new risks highlight the need for existing approaches to keep pace with these changes. This is further relevant as the timeline for the framework enters its mid-point since its inception. Hence, this study reflects on the aspirations of the Sendai framework for DRR through a review of activities conducted in the past years under science, technology and innovations. Design/methodology/approachMultidimensional secondary datasets are collected and reviewed to give a general insight into the DRR activities of governments and other related agencies over the past years with case examples. The results are then discussed in the context of new global risks and technological advancement. FindingsIt becomes evident that GIS and remote sensing embedded technologies are spearheading innovations for DRR across many countries. However, the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated innovations that use artificial intelligence-based technologies in diverse ways and has thus become important to risk management. These notwithstanding, the incorporation of science, technology and innovations in DRR faces many challenges. To mitigate some of the challenges, the study proposes reforms to the scope and application of science and technology for DRR, as well as suggests a new framework for risk reduction that harnesses stakeholder collaborations and resource mobilizations. Research limitations/implicationsThe approach and proposals made in this study are made in reference to known workable processes and procedures with proven successes. However, contextual differences may affect the suggested approaches. Originality/valueThe study provides alternatives to risk reduction approaches that hinge on practically tested procedures that harness inclusivity attributes deemed significant to the Sendai framework for DRR 2015-2030.

Virtual Care for the Longitudinal Management of Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review

As both the largest integrated health system and largest provider of telehealth in the country, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has a particular interest in understanding how best to implement and utilize virtual care. VHA has long embraced virtual care as part of its mission to "serve all who have served" regardless of their socioeconomic and geographic circumstances. Having begun conducting "virtual care" in the 1960s when doctors first communicated with patient's via TV screens,1 VHA has since provided over 2.6 million episodes of care to more than 900,000 Veterans in 20192 and has distributed over 50,000 data- and video-enabled iPads for Veterans throughout the country.3 Virtual care within VHA includes services such as MyHealtheVet secure messaging, the Home Telehealth program that combines case management principles with remote monitoring to improve access and coordinate care, and the VA Video Connect (VVC) video platform for synchronous visits within both specialty and primary care.4 Increasing Veteran access to care via virtual care has been an integral part of VHA's strategy for improving chronic disease management for a population that is on average older and sicker than their civilian counterparts.5,6 Given the importance that virtual care has for Veteran care even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the strengths and limitations associated with synchronous virtual care will be critical in shaping how VHA utilizes virtual care going forward.

Pandemic Risk, Response, and Resilience: COVID-19 Responses in Cities Around the World

Pandemic Risk, Response, and Resilience: COVID-19 Responses in Cities Around the World examines the pandemic’s global impacts on public health, economies, society and labor. The book shows how COVID-19 intensified natural and anthropogenic hazards and destroyed years of communities, governments and the work of development organizations and their investments. It focuses on how disaster resilience is central to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in a post-COVID-19 era. Sections cover current governance practices, with special attention given to Asia’s more successful responses. It shows how the various sectors across that society were most impacted by COVID-19, including tourism and food systems. This book is an essential reference for researchers and practitioners who need to understand response, preparedness and future pathways for pandemic resilience. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 and fiscal stimulus in South Asia: implications for resilience and sustainable development

The world continues to be gripped by COVID-19, though the pandemic's impact varies across countries and regions. The South Asian case is illustrative. The region is marked by inherent socioeconomic and other vulnerabilities, including high population density, relatively poor health care, and limited water sanitation facilities. South Asian countries also evince varied levels of damage from the pandemic. This chapter examines the region's circumstances as of November 2020, using macroeconomic data to explore varied pandemic impacts and fiscal policy responses. We also discuss the COVID-19 fund formed at the South Asian regional level with contributions from all eight South Asian countries. Our analysis includes each country's external and internal share of fiscal stimulus, and the implications for sustainable development goals. In an argument for integrating resilience and development frameworks, the chapter analyzes Japan's example of national resilience planning and related sustainable development frameworks. Our research indicates that a sustainable recovery is advantaged by fiscal stimulus that can be linked to extant developmental frameworks. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reflections on pandemic governance in Japan

The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe damage to many aspects of lives and its management has equally brought about different approach where many have witnessed lockdowns, state of emergencies, and travel restrictions. These measures in their own spectrum have achieved many results identified as successful or otherwise. To many, being liberal on the approach to managing the pandemic is key to ensuring continue flow of resources to promote economic sustainability. Others also have the view that, stringent measures ensure safety and healthy population which are essential to restarting economic structuring in postpandemic. However, adopting flexible but principled approach may be important in the midst of many approaches. This chapter looks at the governance system of Japan from the perspective of state emergency system and its application during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is discussed with some local context while placing it in other jurisdictional contexts to enhance the understanding of adaptive governance. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 pandemic, global spread, issues, and challenges

COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly has a long-term implication for various aspects of governance. The coupled impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and natural hazards in global perspectives provided the opportunities to researchers, academicians, decision-makers, and practitioners to opening up new research avenues and policy requirements. Integrated assessment to quantify the societal consequences of the pandemic is the need of the hour to develop a comprehensive global response and recovery plan to regain the unprecedented impacts to global governance. The book is an attempt to conduct the assessment for regaining global phenomena;it is important to understand the cutting-edge vulnerability and deprivation to address inequalities between countries and shifting modality in risk governance. The case studies of COVID-19 pandemic impacts, governance, and consequences have been analyzed from various perspectives at the local, national, and regional levels. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.