Regional emergency response on mitigate the impact of Covid-19

Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19: Policy Briefs

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ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/2020/INF.1

Country: Arab region

Publication Type: Policy briefs

Cluster: Climate Change and Natural Resource Sustainability, Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development, Shared Economic Prosperity, Statistics, Information Society and Technology, 2030 Agenda and SDG Coordination, Governance and Conflict Prevention

Focus Area: 2030 Agenda, Debt and fiscal policy, Financing for development, Gender equality, Inclusive development, Natural resource sustainability, Resilient development & conflict prevention, Statistics, Technology & innovation

Initiatives: Integrated national financing frameworks, COVID-19 Stimulus Tracker, Public finance and inclusive fiscal policy

SDGs: Agenda 2030

Keywords: Arab countries, Covid-19, Economics, Food security, Foreign direct investment, Gender equality, Poverty, Water, Youth, Economic aspects, Economic assistance, Social aspects, Social conditions, Viruses

Regional emergency response on mitigate the impact of Covid-19

March 2022

A decade marked for accelerated action and delivery towards sustainable development has been disrupted by a global health threat that has severely impacted the Arab region. The focus now is on urgent action to save lives and repair livelihoods. This crisis is a stark reminder of why an efficient and effective public sector is the first line of defence in addressing systemic risks. This perilous pandemic is spreading through the Arab region at a time when economies are already battered by conflict and mounting fiscal pressures. To mitigate the mounting threat of COVID-19, people across the region must work together to limit transmissions and fatalities by thinking of and protecting others, especially the most vulnerable. The virus knows no borders, and has severely affected the lives and livelihoods of people from all social and economic backgrounds. This regional emergency response is not about bailing out countries, industries or financial institutions – it is about saving thousands of lives. Human welfare and social solidarity must be at the core of any recovery initiative to eradicate this contagion, and allow Governments to resume their efforts towards a secure, just and prosperous world for all.

	Executive Secretary of ESCWA calls on Arab Governments to establish a regional social solidarity fund Policy document: Regional emergency response to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, Press clippings
	The Impact of COVID-19 on the Arab region An Opportunity to Build Back Better Policy document: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Arab region An Opportunity to Build Back Better Press Release: United Nations Secretary-General on COVID-19 and the Arab region: recovery is an opportunity to build back better
	Tracking COVID-19 Policy Responses of Arab States and the World
	COVID-19 economic cost to the Arab region Policy document: COVID-19 Economic Cost to the Arab region Press Release: At least 1.7 million jobs will be lost in the Arab region due to the coronavirus pandemic Press clippings
	COVID-19 impact on poverty and food security Policy document: MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 Poverty and food insecurity in the Arab region Press Release: 8.3 million people will fall into poverty in the Arab region due to COVID-19 Press clippings
	COVID-19 impact on gender equality Policy document: Policy Brief on the Impact of COVID-19 on gender Equality in the Arab region: Press Release: ESCWA & partners warn: violence against women has increased due to COVID-1: women will lose twice as much as men in terms of jobs Press clippings
	COVID-19 impact on the water-scarce Arab region Policy document: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 on the Water-Scarce Arab region Press Release: 74 million in the Arab region at risk of COVID-19 due to lack of access to a handwashing facility Press clippings
	COVID-19 impact on Arab economies trade and foreign direct investment Policy document: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 on Arab Economies Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Press Release: ESCWA warns of a historic decline in foreign direct investment in the Arab region due to COVID-19
	Effect of COVID-19 on price and expenditure statistics
	Impact of COVID-19 on Arab Financial Systems Policy document: ESCWA Policy Brief on the Impact of COVID-19 on Arab Financial Systems Press Release: New ESCWA & UAB brief: Major Arab stock markets register value losses of about 25% in the first quarter of 2020
	Impact of COVID-19 on Young People in the Arab region Policy Document: ESCWA Policy Brief on the Impact of COVID-19 on Young People in the Arab region Press Release: COVID-19 exposes 32 million older persons to lack of health care and aggravates the problems of young people in the Arab region
	A Solidarity Tax to Address the Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in the Arab region Policy Document: A Solidarity Tax to Address the Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in the Arab region Press Release: 31 Arab billionaires own as much wealth as half of the region’s population
	Impact of COVID-19 on Older Persons in the Arab region Policy Document: ESCWA Policy Brief on the Impact of COVID-19 on Older Persons in the Arab region Press Release: COVID-19 exposes 32 million older persons to lack of health care and aggravates the problems of young people in the Arab region
	Limited fiscal space puts the Arab region recovery from COVID-19 at risk Policy Document: Limited fiscal space puts the Arab region recovery from COVID-19 at risk Press Release: ESCWA: $50 billion more required for middle and low-income Arab countries to recover from COVID-19
	Poverty in Lebanon: Solidarity is vital to address the impact of multiple overlapping shocks Policy Document: Poverty in Lebanon: Solidarity is vital to address the impact of multiple overlapping shocks Press Release: ESCWA warns: more than half of Lebanon’s population trapped in poverty
	Is Food Security in Lebanon under Threat? Policy Document: Is Food Security in Lebanon under Threat? Press Release: Half of Lebanon’s population at risk of failing to access basic food needs by year’s end
	Impact of COVID-19 on Transport in the Arab region Policy Document: Impact of COVID-19 on Transport in the Arab region Press Release: Number of passenger flights reduced by more than half in the Arab region due to COVID-19
	Special-Drawing Rights and Arab Countries: Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Policy Document: Special-Drawing Rights and Arab Countries: Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Press Release: ESCWA: $37.3 billion from new IMF allocation offer an unprecedented financing opportunity for the Arab region
	Rising wealth inequality in the Arab region amid COVID-19 Policy Document: Rising wealth inequality in the Arab region amid COVID-19 Press Release: ESCWA: Historic rise in wealth concentration in the Arab region: Richest 10% control more than 80% of wealth
	COVID-19 policy responses in the Arab region: limited fiscal space and lack of effective social protection systems Policy Document: COVID-19 policy responses in the Arab region: limited fiscal space and lack of effective social protection systems