Caring in crisis: The experiences of local religious leaders meeting community food needs in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To respond to the unintended consequences of prevention measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission, individuals and groups, including religious leaders, have collaborated to provide care to those negatively impacted by these measures. Amid these various efforts and interventions, there is a need to deepen our understanding of diverse expressions of care across various geographical and social contexts. To address this need, the objective of this study was to investigate how religious leaders in the Philippines practiced care for their communities by meeting emergency food needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by an ethics of care theoretical orientation, we conducted 25 remote semi-structured interviews with Filipino religious leaders who partnered with a Philippines-based non-governmental organization (NGO) to mobilize essential food aid to their local communities. Through defining the efforts and activities of these religious leaders as care work, we found that religious leader experiences revolved around navigating care responsibilities, caring alongside others, and engaging holistically with the care work. Additionally, we observed how contextual factors such as the humanitarian settings where religious leaders worked, the partnership with an NGO, and the positionality of local religious leaders within their communities, fundamentally shaped the care work. This study expands our understanding of how care is practiced and experienced and also brings greater visibility to the experiences and efforts of local religious leaders in responding to humanitarian emergencies.

Shared Spaces, Shared Suffering: Exploring the Effects of COVID-19 on Urban Animal Advocacy Organizations in Chicago and Kansas City, USA

COVID-19‘s impact on the daily lives of millions of urban residents around the world has been significant, yet next to many humans are companion animals who have shared the "lockdown” experience. Much as the pandemic has upended human socio-economic lives, the pandemic has also upended companion animal lives, as well as the organizations working to help them in urban areas. This chapter, grounded in the perspective of animal geography, explores the positive and negative effects of COVID-19 on three U.S. animal advocacy organizations: two in Chicago, Illinois and one in Kansas City, Missouri. From early lockdown closures that temporarily stopped all direct care and outreach services, to a post-lockdown recognition of the increasing need for economic support to help families care for their companion animals, to the time lost managing feral populations, we show that the impact of COVID-19 cannot be seen as purely a human phenomenon, but must be seen as a more-than-human experience with long-term ramifications for human-animal relations in urban areas and beyond. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Improving access to COVID-19 vaccines: an analysis of TRIPS waiver discourse among WTO members, civil society organizations, and pharmaceutical industry stakeholders. (Special Issue: COVID-19 vaccine equity and human rights.)

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, international access to COVID-19 vaccines and other health technologies has remained highly asymmetric. This inequity has had a particularly deleterious impact on low- and middle-income countries, engaging concerns about the human rights to health and to the equal enjoyment of the benefits of scientific progress enshrined under articles 12 and 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In response, the relationship between intellectual property rights and public health has reemerged as a subject of global interest. In October 2020, a wholesale waiver of the copyright, patent, industrial design, and undisclosed information sections of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS Agreement) was proposed by India and South Africa as a legal mechanism to increase access to affordable COVID-19 medical products. Here, we identify and evaluate the TRIPS waiver positions of World Trade Organization (WTO) members and other key stakeholders throughout the waiver's 20-month period of negotiation at the WTO. In doing so, we find that most stakeholders declined to explicitly contextualize the TRIPS waiver within the human right to health and that historical stakeholder divisions on the relationship between intellectual property and access to medicines appear largely unchanged since the early 2000s HIV/AIDS crisis. Given the WTO's consensus-based decision-making process, this illuminates key challenges faced by policy makers seeking to leverage the international trading system to improve equitable access to health technologies.

The role of civil society in mobilizing human rights struggles for essential medicines: a critique from HIV/AIDS to COVID-19. (Special Issue: COVID-19 vaccine equity and human rights.)

In this paper, we explore the strategies utilized by civil society organizations to improve access to medicines during the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 health crises. In particular, we seek to illuminate why some of the successful approaches for increasing access to antiretrovirals for HIV/AIDS in the early 2000s failed in creating equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines. While civil society has historically mobilized human rights to facilitate greater access to essential medicines, we argue that earlier strategies were not always sustainable and that civil society is now mobilizing human rights in radically different ways than previously. Instead of focusing chiefly on securing an intellectual property waiver to the TRIPS Agreement, civil society organizations are now challenging vaccine injustice, rejecting the "charity discourse" that fuels Global South dependency on Global North actors in favor of scaling up manufacture in low- and middle-income countries, and moving to embed the right to access medicines in a new World Health Organization pandemic treaty with civil society organization participation and meaningful representation from low- and middle-income countries. Such approaches, we contend, will lead to more sustainable solutions in order to avert further health care disasters, like those seen with two distinct but related struggles-the fights for equitable access to essential medicines for HIV/AIDS and for COVID-19.

Special Issue: COVID-19 vaccine equity and human rights. (Special Issue: COVID-19 vaccine equity and human rights.)

This special issue contains 9 articles that discuss various aspects related to equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The articles cover topics such as the international legal status of the human right to medicines, the role of civil society in advocating for fair access to essential medicines, the interpretation of the right to science in relation to COVID-19 vaccines, and the need for stronger pharmaceutical accountability. The articles also analyse the discourse among World Trade Organisation (WTO) members, civil society organisations, and pharmaceutical industry stakeholders, and provide critiques of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. Furthermore, this special issue examines New Zealand's unique response to COVID-19 and provides a student essay on centring human rights to achieve global vaccine equity.

The contributions of religious leaders in addressing food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines: A realist evaluation of the Rapid Emergencies and Disasters Intervention (REDI).

To address the unintended consequences of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., emergency food insecurity, income loss), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have partnered with diverse actors, including religious leaders, to provide humanitarian relief in resource-constrained communities. One such example is the Rapid Emergencies and Disasters Intervention (REDI), which is an NGO-led program in the Philippines that leverages a network of volunteer religious leaders to identify and address emergency food insecurity among households experiencing poverty. Guided by a realist evaluation approach, the objectives of this study were to identify the facilitators and barriers to effective implementation of REDI by religious leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the context and mechanisms that influenced REDI implementation. In total, we conducted 25 virtual semi-structured interviews with religious leaders actively engaged in REDI implementation across 17 communities in Negros Occidental, Philippines. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. Three main context-mechanism configurations were identified in shaping effective food aid distribution by religious leaders, including program infrastructure (e.g., technical and relational support from partner NGO), social infrastructure (e.g., social networks), and community infrastructure (e.g., community assets as well as a broader enabling environment). Overall, this study contributes insight into how the unique positionality of religious leaders in combination with organizational structures and guidance from a partner NGO shapes the implementation of a disaster response initiative across resource-constrained communities. Further, this study describes how intersectoral collaboration (involving religious leaders, NGOs, and local governments) can be facilitated through an NGO-led disaster response network.

The paradox of keeping education afloat during troubled times: a case of Kilkaari-Bachpan Ki

Learning outcomes: After completing the case, the students shall be able to do the following:▪ explain the key features and roles associated with non-governmental organizations (NGOs;comprehension);▪ describe major activities/programs run by Kilkaari-Bachpan Ki (knowledge);▪ describe the challenges faced by not-for-profit, non-governmental and voluntary organizations operating at a local level (knowledge);▪ developing TOWS matrix for Kilkaari's strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities to provide strategies for making the necessary change (analysis);▪ explain the change management strategies used by Kilkaari during COVID-19 using Kurt Lewin's model (analysis);and▪ develop recommendations for the problems faced by Kilkaari (evaluation). Case overview/synopsis: As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the entire world was left in shambles. The epidemic has had a profound impact on the way organizations used to function. It compelled all sectors and companies to change their working methods and move closer to virtual conceptions. Organizations that were able to adapt to the new environment have thrived, while the rest have struggled and continue to struggle. In today's world, embracing virtual scenarios is more about perseverance and consistency than it is about making a conscious decision. Organizations such as NGOs have limited financial and non-financial means to adapt to such changes, and some of them were unable to suffice during the tough times.Despite this, the current case study focuses on the NGOs' path during the pandemic: Kilkaari-Bachpan Ki. The NGO's primary objective is to provide underprivileged children with free access to education. The current scenario illustrates how the Kilkaarians (team members of Kilkaari) modified their behavior in response to the crisis. To be used in an organizational behavior course, the case is intended for management students. Kurt Lewin's model of change, which includes unfreezing, mobility and refreezing, can be understood by students. For this research, the authors use a case-study approach to explore how the organization responded when faced with a crisis. Complexity academic level: This case is suitable for undergraduate students learning organizational behavior course, strategic management and also relevant to social work courses (social entrepreneurship/NGOs). Supplementary materials: Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code: CSS 6: Human resource management. © 2022, Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Lessons learned

The impact of for-profit pharmaceutical firms and charitable organizations on world health policy has been made clear by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite criticism from poor nations and rising opposition from influential players in wealthy countries, private actors have been able to uphold the norm of intellectual property rights. This article looks at how private actors have used their financial resources, subject matter expertise, and discursive influence to defy government directives. In order to lessen biased public health outcomes, it explores the effects of their expanding influence on global governance on public health and makes some policy suggestions. During the COVID-19 epidemic, private businesses and charitable groups have been instrumental in advancing intellectual property rights. Private actors are better positioned to influence public opinion and the global health agenda thanks to their massive monetary resources, capacity for rapid mobilization, state-of-the-art technological know-how, and public relations prowess that far outpace public health institutions. Without adequate checks and balances, the rising power of private players not only results in the for-profit corporations serving as the primary norm-setters in the global health ecosystem, but it also increases inequalities across nations.

Extending health systems resilience into communities: a qualitative study with community-based actors providing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Amidst ongoing calls for increased health systems resilience, gaps remain in our understanding of how health systems can reach further into communities to ensure resilient service delivery. Indeed, public health emergencies caused by infectious hazards reveal both the value and vulnerability of the workforce delivering health services in communities. This study explores ways in which a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Philippines protected their frontline workforce during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Guided by a qualitative descriptive approach, 34 in-depth interviews were conducted with community-based health actors employed by the NGO between June 2020 and February 2021. Data analysis was guided by an iterative deductive and inductive approach. RESULTS: We identified four key activities that enabled the NGO and their staff to provide health and social services in communities in a safe and consistent manner as part of the organization's pandemic response. These include (1) ensuring adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene supplies; (2) providing contextualized and role-specific infection prevention and control (IPC) training; (3) ensuring access to testing for all staff; and (4) providing support during quarantine or isolation. CONCLUSION: Learning from the implementation of these activities offers a way forward toward health emergency preparedness and response that is crucially needed for NGOs to safely leverage their workforce during pandemics. Further, we describe how community-based health actors employed by NGOs can contribute to broader health systems resilience in the context of health emergency preparedness and response.

Environmental regulations versus sustainable tourism indicators: a pathway to sustainable development. (Special Issue: Transitioning from unsustainable to sustainable: What are the solutions for tourism industry stakeholders in North Cyprus?)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to profile the current state of sustainable tourism indicators (STIs) in order to assess risks and draw attention to potential solutions. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative methodology and documentary analysis were used, and primary data were gathered about STIs from four publicly available regulatory documents. Findings The study findings indicate that one of the primary impediments to sustainable tourism development is a lack of supervision and control over the enforcement of existing laws and regulations. Existing systems with relevant laws and regulations contribute to the fact that the environment is unsustainably developed because of the absence of specific explanations relating to STIs. The study identifies some of the actions that could be taken to mitigate the negative impacts of conventional forms of tourism development. Research limitations/implications This article argues that policymakers should act quickly to audit and manage the environment and that they should involve non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the tourism industry in this process. In addition, regulations should be revisited to include the necessity of being certified by international bodies for tourism enterprises and adopting European Union (EU) environmental standards. Practical implications: The tourism industry must adopt a more responsible and participatory approach to economic growth in order to ensure sustainable tourism, learning from the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Further, the industry must collaborate with policymakers to develop mechanisms to protect and control the resources they consume for the sake of future generations. Originality/value: Sustainable tourism development in which all aspects contribute to economic development, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS), is of the utmost importance. No prior work seems to have been published that evaluates publicly available regulatory documents with reference to the current state of STIs in SIDS, especially in North Cyprus.

Navigating fear and care: The lived experiences of community-based health actors in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The activities of community-based health actors are widely recognized as critical to pandemic response; yet, there exists a lack of clarity concerning who is included in this ecosystem of actors and how these actors experience the complexity of delivering community-level care in the context of a public health emergency. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize the lived experiences of community-based health actors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines; and (2) to identify opportunities for further supporting these critical actors in the health workforce. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted (January-February 2021) with 28 workers employed by a Philippines-based non-governmental organization (NGO) to explore their lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed thematically using a hybrid inductive-deductive coding process, informed by Tronto's conceptualization of an ethic of care. Lived experiences among study participants were shaped by discourses of fear and care, and the interaction between these two affects. Participants reported everyday experiences of fear: NGO workers' fears of contracting and transmitting COVID-19 to others; perceived fear among community members where they worked; and fears around COVID-19 testing, recognizing the personal and social implications (e.g. stigma) of a positive test. Amid fear, participants had everyday experiences of care: care was a powerful motivator to continue their work; they felt supported by a caring organization that implemented safety protocols and provided material supports to those in quarantine; and they engaged in self-care practices. These findings contribute to understanding the ecosystem of actors involved in community-based health care and engagement efforts and the challenges they encounter in their work, particularly in a pandemic context. We highlight implications for civil society organizations charged with protecting the mental and physical well-being of their workers and describe how these actions can contribute to local health systems strengthening.

Exploring the food (in)security status of suburban households and its determinants during COVID-19

Household food insecurity in South African suburban low-income households is a major challenge. Research outcomes that will inform decisions on effective solutions towards reducing household food insecurity in South Africa are essential. The purpose of this study was firstly to determine the food security status of households and the skills of household members in Ward 60 of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Secondly, it was also to determine the association between the socioeconomic and demographic variables of the households and their level of food (in-)security. The study employed a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, comprising a qualitative Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) methodology and a quantitative household food security survey methodology. A household food security survey was employed using a questionnaire that was based on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The questionnaire was used to collect data from 170 randomly selected households. The data analysis used the HFIAS score and logistic regression analysis. The results show 6.1% of households as food secure, 3.05% as mildly food insecure, 13.4% as moderately food insecure, and 77.4% as severely food insecure. The results also show that a significant unemployment rate, a reliance on social grants, and absence of income seriously impact the extent of household food insecurity. The results show a significant association between the household food security and the variables of unemployment, income, and gender. The regression analysis results suggest that gender, household size, age, employment, and household income influence household food security. The results of the household skills show that the households had a variety of skills. These results can help to inform decisions by the government, local municipalities, NGOs, and other stakeholders towards designing effective solutions for enhancing household food security.

Identifying the non-governmental organizations' activities and challenges in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The spread and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic have been to such an extent that to shape an effective, collective response, governments need the participation of society and the cooperation of a wide range of civil society organizations and institutions. The objective of this study was to identify the activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in response to the covid-19 pandemic in Iran and the challenges they confronted. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative analysis based on twenty-two individual, virtual, and semi-structured interviews. Interviewees were selected through purposeful and snowball sampling. All interviews were performed with active health-related NGO representatives willing to participate in the study and continued until data saturation. Data analysis was performed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The activities and challenges raised by NGO representatives were identified in 6 main categories, including the need for the participation of NGOs in the fight against pandemics, response to the COVID-19 crisis in the society, challenges in providing services to the target group in the COVID-19 crisis, NGOs challenges in interacting with governmental and non-governmental institutions, information sources used by NGOs in the COVID-19 crisis and strategies to support NGOs in their efforts. CONCLUSION: Considering the crucial challenges for their participation, such as the NGO access to the target groups, lack of communication network, and constructive interaction between government institutions and the NGOs, it is recommended to increase the capacity of these institutions and intervene to establish a constructive and long-term relationship with the government.

Determinants of COVID -19 vaccine acceptancy: scoping review of literature

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still occurring, infecting many people and killing lakhs worldwide. Vaccination is the most effective strategy to control the spread of COVID-19. Several studies report the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. India started its vaccination program on 16th January 2021. Few studies from India explore vaccine acceptancy, hesitancy, and risk perception among the Indian population. The present review is conducted at the decisive time when the Indian health system and people have some experience with the vaccination process to understand the social and health system-related drivers for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

The COVID-19 pandemic consequences to the activity of NGOs

The aim of the research is to determine the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for activities carried out by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Moreover, there will be conducted an assessment of the differences in the perceived effects of the pandemic by NGOs due to their activity areas. The analyzes are based on the results of a survey that was carried out among representatives of NGOs in the period April-May 2020. The descriptive analysis was conducted on the basis of survey data. Additionally, a chi-square test of independence will be carried out to verify the differences in the perceived effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the groups of NGOs established based on the criteria area of activity. The results obtained enable us to point out the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in a very short time horizon - the next 4 and 8 weeks – for NGOs in the area of the possibility of fully financing the salary costs, as well as the ability to provide services to clients/beneficiaries. The paper establishes the frequency of concerns regarding the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic (such as loss of income, the need to dismiss employees). In addition, it will outline the most pressing challenges faced by NGOs to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and assess the outlook after the pandemic. The paper fills the gap in the knowledge of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for NGOs.

A regional approach to drought index-insurance in Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) countries: volume 2 - intergovernmental authority on development country annexes

The objectives of this report are to review for each IGAD country the overall environment for the operational feasibility of implementing IBLI. The operational feasibility areas are summarized and scored at the end of each country chapter. They include the following;Importance of pastoral livestock for economy;Impact of drought on livestock;Pastoralist demand for livestock insurance;Effective distribution channels for micro-level IBLI;Existing pastoralist beneficiary registries;Pastoralist financial literacy;Legal and regulatory insurance environment;Insurance market development;Interest from insurers in IBLI;Finance available for premiums;and Interest from government stakeholders in IBLI. This report was conducted combining a desk-based study with key informant interviews. As for Volume I, given the travel restrictions due to COVID-19, only a minimum of in-country stakeholder meetings have been possible. Instead, questionnaires were shared with more than 50 in-country expert stakeholders (of which 21 replied), including ministries of agriculture, ministries of humanitarian affairs, ministries of finance, insurance regulators, development partners, livestock associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), inquiring about the status quo of drought risk financing initiatives in IGAD countries, the status of needed operational infrastructure for a regional approach, and the interest of stakeholders to support such an approach. Where applicable, results from these questionnaires and from other stakeholder consultations were included in the country annexes (as indicated).

Ensuring availability of food for child nutrition amidst the COVID - 19 pandemic: Challenges and way forward. (Special Issue: The epidemiologist and the pandemic.)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spread in India is steeply rising. A 21-day lockdown has been imposed by the Government of India, to curtail its spread. This has impacted all walks of life, including availability of food and nutrition related services which would affect nutritional status of children throughout India. The two major schemes, i.e. Integrated Child Development Services Scheme and Mid-day Meal Scheme have been affected leading to risk of worsening of child nutrition. Some states have evolved their own strategies to mitigate the effect of lockdown. Here we discuss the challenges and way forward for ensuring availability of food for child nutrition during this health crisis. No single, optimal response to a public health emergency exists. The government and non-government partners must coordinate and scale up child nutrition services in the community through strengthening of public distribution system and home delivery of food parcels wherever feasible for beneficiaries of child nutrition programs.

Social innovation based on collaboration between government and non-governmental organizations in COVID-19 crisis: evidence from Iran.

BACKGROUND: One of the effective ways to attract social collaboration to provide effective, prompt, and coordinated interventions in emergencies is through social innovation. The present study seeks to identify the factors affecting the implementation of the social innovation plan based on the collaboration between government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for saving people's lives in crises. The initial idea of this research was obtained from the best practice "Every Home Is a Health Base" which was implemented in Iran. METHODS: The Grounded Theory strategy has been used in this study. The statistical population of the study is health experts from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran. The study time span is during the first half of 2020. Exploratory analysis was used to identify the factors of social innovation. By selecting and reviewing 68 research in-depth, the initial framework was prepared. Then, through a semi-structured interview with experts, the framework was adapted and reviewed. Based on the analysis of the collected data, 39 open codes were extracted and the factors affecting the implementation of the social innovation were identified. RESULTS: The eight axis codes as the factors affecting the implementation of the social innovation plan based on the collaboration between government and NGOs are as follows: Paying attention to the components of the NGOs collaboration effectiveness, investment to attract NGOs collaboration, the ability to manage the implementation, the ability of networking, the ability of policymaking, providing the necessary cultural and educational infrastructure; Existence of capable legal organizations to solve the executive problems of the plan and facilitate coordination, and controlling, containing and reducing the effects of the crisis, as consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic have shown the world that the current governmental and social structures are not efficient enough to respond quickly to the emergence of global challenges. Social innovation is a solution to this problem. The findings of this study also confirm this and identify the factors affecting the implementation of the social innovation plan based on collaboration between governments and NGOs in crises. The results of this research give governments and policymakers an efficient solution by involving NGOs, especially in times of widespread crises. Also, they can be used in planning for social development.

Mental health and psycho-social responses to COVID-19 in Ethiopia. (Special Issue: Special issue.)

COVID-19 has a wide range of effects on the mental health of the public, people in isolation, vulnerable individuals, and health workers. This article has collected reports from the Ethiopian national public health emergency operations center, the Federal Ministry of Health- Ethiopia and the Health Professionals Advisory Council and included direct observations from the responses to review the mental health and psycho-social responses of Ethiopia to the COVID-19 pandemic, to share experiences and provide policy recommendations. The worldwide effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and psycho-social aspects of the public, restrictions due to the State of Emergency in Ethiopia, the pre-existing resource limitations in mental health care and an increase in returnees with multiple needs had increased the need for mental health and psycho-social support of individuals affected by COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Multiple stakeholders from governmental institutions, professional associations and non-governmental organizations had come together to mitigate the impact. The response included training healthcare providers, preparing guiding documents, mental health messages to the public, and providing mental health and psycho-social support services to individuals admitted in quarantines and treatment centers as well as health workers. The inclusion of Mental Health and Psycho-social support in the emergency response has shown promising results in Ethiopia that can be adopted in the management of other public health emergencies. The effectiveness of mental health and psycho-social interventions relies on recognizing the need of mental health services and increasing metal health resource allocation.