A Recovery Plan for the World - A Campaign to End COVID-19 for All and Kickstart a Global Recovery in 2021 - Global Citizen
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PRESENTS: A Recovery Plan for the World A Campaign to End COVID-19 for All and Kickstart a Global Recovery in 2021
Abstract I Abstract Global Citizen’s Recovery Plan For the World: A Campaign to End COVID-19 for All and Kickstart the Global Recovery in 2021 outlines the challenges facing the world as a result of this century’s most devastating global pandemic. This resource also provides a roadmap that outlines the most critical actions we must take now and over the course of 2021 to end the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world works to address the health impacts of the pandemic for everyone, we must also address the social, economic, and environmental hardships that have been brought on by or exacerbated by COVID-19 as articulated in our five pillars: 1. End the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Stop the hunger crisis; 3. Resume learning for all children; 4. Protect the planet; 5. Promote equity and justice for all. Global Citizen’s mission remains to eradicate extreme global poverty by 2030. While the 17 Global Goals represent the best plan for achieving a world free from extreme poverty by 2030, during this extraordinary moment for humanity, we must first meet the immediate challenges facing the world today. Our actions this year will determine our collective future. With COVID-19, no one is safe unless everyone is safe. If we can get vaccines to everyone who needs them; get children back in classrooms and get food back on the table for everyone; and recommit to protecting our planet, we will be in a much stronger place to achieve the ambition of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030. The aims outlined in this Recovery Plan for the World are centralized into five objectives: End the Pandemic To defeat COVID-19, we must provide global equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and especially vaccines to break the chain of transmission everywhere, including low and middle income countries. But right now, high-income countries have pre-purchased over half of the world’s COVID-19 vaccine supply, while over 130 countries to date have not received any vaccine doses. Currently, the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), the global partnership aligned to address this challenge, is drastically underfunded. World leaders must fully fund its $38 billion need through 2021 ($22.9 billion gap as of 19 February 2021) so that ACT-A and its vaccines pillar, COVAX, can deliver on its mandate. This represents less than 1% of the $13 trillion that G20 countries have spent on domestic economic stimulus and pandemic relief. Wealthy countries also
Abstract II stand to get back $4.80 in economic benefits for every dollar invested in global equitable access to vaccines. Failure to act will result in the further emergence of virus variants in undervaccinated parts of the world, presenting an ongoing threat to global health and economic security. That’s why we are calling on world leaders to commit to a roadmap to vaccinate 60% of the world’s population by the end of the year. Getting there will require high-income countries to heed the calls by European Commission President von der Leyen, French President Macron, and Portuguese Prime Minister Costa to immediately begin donating at least 5% of their doses for health workers and vulnerable populations in developing countries. Governments must also take short- and longer-term steps to expand global vaccine manufacturing capacity; and the pharma industry should commit to non-profit pricing of COVID-19 vaccines and to engaging competitors to help expand supply. Stop the Hunger Crisis The world must increase funding and financing for nutrition and agriculture to prevent millions of people from falling deeper into extreme poverty and becoming food insecure as a result of COVID-19. An estimated 370 million school going children have lost access to school meals as a result of the school closures during the pandemic. Because of lockdowns and being cut off from markets, rural smallholder farmers, food producers, and their families who already grapple with the impacts of climate change, are facing the brunt of this crisis. If nothing is done, the pandemic could double levels of acute hunger with upwards of 270 million people facing starvation. Halting this multifaceted crisis, will require both humanitarian aid and long term investments of at least $14 billion per year. Investing in social safety nets and supporting agricultural development will be key in the recovery process and vital in building long term resilience to end extreme poverty. Resume Learning for All Children Over 1.5 billion children have been impacted by COVID-19 school closures and one in three children worldwide have been unable to access remote learning. The most marginalized children, like those living in poverty, through conflict and crisis, girls, and children with disabilities, are now twice at risk of missing out on an education, and the opportunity to unlock their promise. To resume learning for all, Global Citizen will seek to mobilize at least $300 million to support Education Cannot Wait, which is the first and only global fund dedicated to education in emergencies, to carry out its cutting- edge, cross-cutting, and transformative work for millions of vulnerable children around the world. Global Citizen will also work with Education Cannot Wait and its partners to bridge the digital divide, in order to help all children resume their learning now, and build critical skills for their futures. Protect the Planet We are five years into the Paris Agreement, but still no country is taking sufficient action to stop climate change and protect the planet. In the lead up to COP26 this year, countries must commit to ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with interim targets for 2030, to stop global temperatures from increasing beyond 1.5 ºC above pre-industrial levels. Wealthy countries must also help to mobilize at least $100 billion per year to support developing countries’ climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Finally, only a quarter of Fortune Global 500 companies have made a public commitment to become carbon neutral, use 100% renewable power, or meet a science-based emission reduction target by 2030. Businesses must therefore play their part by signing up to ambitious net zero emissions commitments by 2030, with verified Science Based Targets. Promote Equity and Justice for All Before the COVID -19 pandemic, the world already grappled with a myriad of social and economic disparities. The socioeconomic impact of this pandemic has exacerbated existing systemic inequalities and has revealed new challenges that will impact an equitable response. For an
Abstract III
equitable global recovery, governments must ensure their policies are gender-responsive, and include
marginalized groups as both participants and beneficiaries. This is why Global Citizen is calling for
the mobilization of $250 million in new resources to address the impacts of COVID-19 on women
and girls, persons with disabilities and those living in situations of increased vulnerability. The
private sector must use their influence to help fill the global justice gap - so we are calling on global
companies from all sectors to make transformative commitments to justice and equity in their
business practices and partnerships. Together we can ensure we leave no one behind in this recovery.
Financing
The IMF and World Bank estimate the financing needs in low-income countries to be over $1T for
2020-2023. The significant financing gaps across all the priority areas outlined above means that
delivering on these ambitious goals will require new and innovative funding from a variety of sources,
including governments, international financial institutions, the private sector, and philanthropists.
With enough political will, we can unlock billions of dollars in new resources from underutilized tools
such as IMF Special Drawing Rights and Donor Advised Funds. To fill critical pandemic response
funding needs, Global Citizen will continue to advocate to:
Extend and Expand Existing Debt Relief Initiatives
Tap Into Other Financing Sources
Bolster Philanthropic and Corporate Giving
Conclusion
Resilience thinking and action provides the blueprint for solutions and undergirds our advocacy
for each pillar. Together with a diverse coalition of partners and policy experts, we have adopted a
holistic approach which considers the systemic interconnectedness of each pillar’s ambition and how
each of the above factors impact and influence one another in our targeted “Calls to Action (CTA)”
for each pillar. These CTAs do not negate the important efforts that the world must continue to
pursue over the next year and beyond to strengthen global health security, protect the plant, address
chronic nutrition insecurity, and to close gaps in education funding and equity — all to ensure a more
just world, with access to opportunity for all.
Foreword IV Foreword The COVID-19 pandemic is not just going to be a chapter in history books, but a watershed moment for humanity. There will be a before and after. When the pandemic hit, humanity was not ready to cope with a potentially lethal virus that can be transmitted through a simple handshake or through respiratory droplets. Yet, humanity has reacted. Over the last year, the whole world proved how resilient we can be if we decide so. In a matter of weeks, back in Spring last year, we managed to adapt to the new situation. We went from hearing for the first time ever of COVID-19 to changing entirely the way to work, sewing protective equipment and mobilising to develop new vaccines against COVID-19. Some were sceptical that we could fast track R&D that much and have an effective vaccine by the end of 2020, let alone several vaccines. Yet we did it, together. New forms of solidarity have arisen: among them was Global Citizen’s campaign against COVID-19, which I was proud to support. Since the early months of the crisis, the European Union and Global Citizen joined forces in the fight against the coronavirus. Together we helped finance COVAX, a global facility to buy vaccines for countries that could not afford them. Today COVAX is distributing the first doses to low- and middle-income countries: the hard work is now beginning to pay off. COVAX’ goal is to distribute over two billion vaccines to 92 countries by the end of the year – and it is essential to help COVAX succeed. Should the virus continue to spread, other variants may emerge. These mutations could make our fight against the virus even harder. We must be faster than coronavirus. A global vaccination campaign is the most effective way to drive down the virus’ capacity to evolve. We must do everything we can, together, with out-of-the-box ideas and usingall means available. To contain the global spread of the virus, at the beginning of 2021 Team Europe is more than doubling its contribution to COVAX. We are also stepping up our cooperation with Africa: we willdonate in-kind assistance – such as syringes and fridges – to support their vaccination campaign, and we will work with industry to produce more vaccines inside Africa. The coming weeks and months will be crucial – not only for producing and distributing vaccines across the globe. COVID-19 is more than a health crisis. Amid the pandemic, more and more people are going hungry. Millions of children have been forced out of their classrooms.Inequalities are on the rise. Meanwhile, climate change continues to disrupt lives and economies at the four corners of the world. In the coming years, governments all across the globe will invest trillions in the recovery. These investments are an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the global economy, making it fairer and more sustainable. 2021 must be the year we start seeing the end of the pandemic and we start recovering better together. It all depends on us. This is why I did not hesitate when Global Citizen asked me to patron their new campaign. We do need initiatives like this, bringing together governments from across the world and UN agencies, but also corporates, foundations, civil society organisations, artists. We will need everyone to break the cycle of infections, to prepare better for the next health threats, and recover from the deep and tragic impacts COVID had on livelihoods and societies as a whole. Most importantly, we need the citizens: their actions, their voice will keep us on track. They will ensure we do not lose momentum, and will hold us accountable. This crisis should be remembered for how we solved it. It is time to join forces again, so that the all world can recover better together. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Foreword V The COVID-19 pandemic is an extraordinary challenge. To emerge stronger, we need an extraordinary response. The crisis has claimed more than 2 million lives. We have lost parents, daughters, sons, grandparents, friends, and colleagues. As always, the most vulnerable are most affected. Decades of progress toward a better world are at risk. We must reignite our efforts to keep the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals. I am convinced that it is possible to get on track. It starts by overcoming the pandemic. We must make this happen – and we must do so together. There’s hope on the horizon with the roll-out of safe and effective vaccines. These vaccines must be available and accessible to all. No person is safe until everyone is safe, and no country is safe until all countries are safe. The COVAX collaboration between governments, global health organizations, the private sector, civil society, and philanthropy is seeking to ensure people in every corner of the world have access to vaccines. We need all of you to make sure that COVAX reaches its goal of distributing 2 billion doses this year. Only by working together can we ensure that no one is left behind. Only by working together can we recover better to build a world where everyone thrives in peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet. We count on Global Citizen to mobilize networks of young people around the world. Your voices must be heard. Shout loud and act now. Together it is possible. Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General
Table of Contents VI Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 A Recovery Plan for the World.................................................................................................................................................. 3 Pillar I: End the Pandemic............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Pillar II: Stop the Hunger Crisis............................................................................................................................................ 10 Pillar III: Resume Learning for All Children............................................................................................................... 14 Pillar IV: Protect the Planet..................................................................................................................................................... 19 Pillar V: Advance Equity for All............................................................................................................................................. 24 Innovative Financing for the COVID-19 Recovery........................................................................................... 29
Introduction 1
Introduction
COVID-19 has disrupted untold lives and touched every individual on the planet. More than 2.2
million people have died, and newly diagnosed cases are still on the rise. Trillions of dollars have
been wiped off the global economic balance sheet. As a result of the pandemic, progress towards
achieving the Global Goals has stalled — in many cases, poverty eradication has been reversed and
in some places, we’ve gone back decades.
The Shadow Pandemics Ending Extreme PovertyA
Historical Pre-COVID-19 Projection COVID-19-baseline Projection COVID-19-downside Projection
As the world works to end the
health impact of the pandemic 760.0
751.5
741.4
for everyone, we must also 740.0 732.9
address the social, economic, 720.0
Millions of poor
730.9
and environmental hardships 700.0 716.9
688.1
that have been exacerbated by 680.0
COVID-19. While the 17 Global 660.0
Goals represent the best plan 640.0
660.0
644.7
for achieving a world free from 620.0
extreme poverty by 2030, we 600.0 613.7
589.4
must first meet the immediate 580.0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
challenges facing the world
today. These issues intersect Note: Extreme poverty is measured as the number of people living on less than $1.90 per day. 2017 is the
and can only be solved with last year with official global poverty estimates. Regions are categorized using PovcalNet definition.
a holistic, equitable, resilient
approach which enables the to achieve the ambition of the hottest year on record leading
world to adapt, survive, and United Nations Sustainable to the most active hurricane,
thrive in the face of the current Development Agenda by 2030. wildfire, and drought seasons of
pandemic as well as future Without it, we will fail. unprecedented destruction; and
challenges. worsening poverty and hunger
Delivering on these recovery around the world. But, in five or
Ensuring we recover better goals will require our collective
together with a fair, just, and 10 years, 2020 may not seem
commitment to identifying and like an aberration unless we
inclusive plan must be our deploying innovative financing,
collective goal. And if we get take it as a wake-up call to shift
policy change and resilience our collective approach.
this wrong, the gulf between partnerships.
the haves and the have-nots The challenges we are facing
will only increase. can feel too big to plan for or
Using the Resilience Dividend
Our actions this year will be a to Solve Our Most Pressing grapple with, especially when
litmus test for our collective Challenges layered on top of one another.
future. If we can get vaccines Each of these challenges
to everyone who needs them; In 2020, the world’s resilience conspire to make the others
get children back in classrooms was put to the test. Taken worse: every shock — pandemic,
and get food back on the table in totality, the challenges heat wave, or flood — worsens
for everyone; and recommit to of 2020 have felt almost and in turn exacerbates the
protecting our planet, we will insurmountable — a once- underlying stresses of climate
be in a much stronger place in-a-century pandemic; the change, aging infrastructure,
Introduction 2
poor public health, racism, to incentivize solar power on integrated, inclusive, and
and inequity. And all too often, rooftops that also allows for strategic approaches that
as COVID-19 has put on full structural retrofits against help them both rebound more
display, poor and vulnerable earthquakes or hurricanes, effectively and recover more
communities are most prioritizes historically quickly when the next shock
impacted, leading to further marginalized communities for occurs. This approach and the
poverty and fragility. And so the implementation, and creates moment couldn’t be more right
cycle starts again. a microgrid to supply power for our global community to
to a local community in case
Resilience planning offers a have maximum impact when
of emergencies. That win-win-
path forward. The principles recovering from the current
win is the “resilience dividend”
of resilience rest on three COVID-19 crises.
and should be required of every
pillars: integrated planning and project and investment. If we are to end the pandemic,
action; inclusive governance,
This change in approach is stop the hunger crisis, resume
which serves and engages all
easier said than done. Silos learning for all children, protect
members of society; and a
around particular functions — the planet, and promote equity
forward-looking, risk-based
approach. like transportation, economic and justice for all, we will need
development, and health — a new approach. No longer can
Every intervention — new policy, were developed because it we think about these issues
program, investment, or built can seem more efficient for in isolation. Rather, we need a
infrastructure — may begin specialists to work amongst new integrated approach that
with one purpose but must add themselves. However, there leverages each intervention
other benefits along the way are tremendous benefits to to solve for multiple issues.
to strengthen communities breaking down those silos Resilience thinking and action
and advance several critical and changing the way they provide that blueprint.
priorities simultaneously. For approach their risks and
example, creating a project opportunities — using more
Photo credit: Paddy O Sullivan/Unsplash
A Recovery Plan for the World 3
A Recovery Plan for the World
Global Citizen’s Recovery Plan and providing multiple • Foster global solidarity and
will focus on the most impactful benefits across each pillar embrace more inclusive,
measures to help the world while harnessing the resilience participatory governance in
recover better together. We dividend to achieve the Global the fight against COVID-19
will do so by mobilizing global Goals. as well as other confounding
support to global threats;
Global Citizen’s Recovery
1. E
nd the COVID-19 pandemic; Plan embraces the resilience • Mitigate and avert future/
2. Stop the hunger crisis; framework for recovery in potential health, economic,
the aftermath of the global and climate risks;
3. R
esume learning for all COVID-19 pandemic. It
children; also aligns with the Green • Maximize financial
4. Protect the planet; Manifesto1A for a healthy investments for achieving the
recovery from COVID-19 Global Goals.
5. Advance equity and justice
for all. outlined by the WHO last year. By identifying the cross-sectoral
This approach will enable the benefits of investments in
Significant investments world to: each pillar and prioritizing
across each of these pillars is these, the resilience dividend
both a critical and necessary • Recover more quickly from
the COVID-19 pandemic is poised to catalyse multiple
imperative to catalyze the benefits in economic, social, and
global COVID-19 recovery, while strengthening global
preparedness for future risks; environmental recovery.
ensuring no one is left behind
Photo credit: Markus Spiske/UnsplashPillar I: End the Pandemic 4
Pillar I: End the Pandemic
Ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines,
treatments, and tests for everyone, everywhere.
No One Is Safe Until Everyone Is Safe
“COVID-19 has In one year, COVID-19 has contracted by $7 trillion in 2020
threatened the lives spread to more than 100 million — but what does that mean?2
and livelihoods of people worldwide, causing more It means people’s jobs have
everyone on the planet. than 2 million deaths and a disappeared, as has their ability
range of devastating effects, to feed their families, educate
To respond, we must
including an increase in extreme their children, or seek general
take several urgent
poverty and disruptions to health support, plunging
actions. The only way millions of people who were
that we’ll be able to food, education, and health
systems.1A already on the brink back into
recover better, together, extreme poverty, and making
is by defeating the virus That’s 100 million people who’ve the long road to prosperity even
everywhere through potentially had their lives longer.
universal access to disrupted by illness, 2 million
The World Bank projects that
vaccines, diagnostics, lives stopped short, and 2
up to 163 million people may
and therapeutics. At million families grieving the loss
fall into extreme poverty by
the same time, we of their mother, father, aunt,
the end of this year, effectively
must mobilize response uncle, or child. writing off progress made
and recovery aid to since the Global Goals were
Ending the pandemic is vital not
address the pandemic’s launched.3 If we are to achieve
only to global health security,
significant socio- but also for each person’s
the Global Goals and give every
economic consequences, person a chance to succeed, we
chance at prosperity. The global
such as disruptions to simply have no choice but to
economy is estimated to have
food and education beat COVID-19.
systems. I commend
Global Citizen for
raising awareness
on these issues and
playing an important
role in promoting global
solidarity to counter the
pandemic.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus,
WHO Director-General
Photo credit: Francisco Avia/Hospital Clínic de BarcelonaPillar I: End the Pandemic 5
The Case for Global Access: COVID-19 challenge, and it’s drastically underfunded. The
Vaccines and Medical Countermeasures Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, also
known as ACT-A, is a global collaboration of
Ending the global pandemic can only be achieved health organizations, scientists, businesses,
by ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 tests, civil society, philanthropists, and governments
treatments, and vaccines for all. Because of that support the development and equitable
the nature of this virus, and the way variants distribution of the tests, treatments and vaccines
have been developing, it’s simply not enough for the world needs to end COVID-19.
wealthy countries to only look after themselves.
We must also ensure the health and economic The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for
security of the poorest around the world — both 60%-70% vaccine coverage worldwide to control
for their protection and well-being as well as and eventually end the pandemic, in addition to
our own. The new COVID-19 variants present continued global access to tests, treatments,
additional challenges and an even greater and protective equipment. Despite the clear
urgency for action. need to ensure people in developing countries
have access to vaccines at the same speed as
Global cooperation is a prerequisite for ending wealthier countries, these nations continue
the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, only one to lack the necessary resources to secure and
global partnership exists to address this distribute vaccines. As of late January 2021,
only one of the world’s 29 poorest countries had
received any vaccines.4 Yet, wealthy countries
representing just 13% of the world’s population
‘‘If the virus is allowed to have pre-purchased more than half of the
most promising COVID-19 vaccine candidates.5
spread like wildfire in the Despite some emergency licensing agreements,
vaccine supply is already limited and there’s little
Global South, it will inevitably global action to change this.
mutate, become more COVAX, the ACT Accelerator’s vaccine pillar, is
responsible for accelerating the development
transmissible, more deadly and manufacturing of, and ensuring fair and
equitable access to, COVID-19 vaccines. Canada,
and eventually more resistant France, Norway, and the European Commision
have supported a mechanism for their surplus
to vaccines and could pose vaccine doses to be donated and distributed
to lower-income countries through COVAX.
additional threats to the Nonetheless, the world is still witnessing the
Global North.” kind of vaccine nationalism many feared, which
will only prolong the pandemic, cost the global
economy more, and result in more lives lost.
Antonio Guterres, What’s needed now is increased global
UN Secretary- General cooperation, coordination, funding, and the
prioritization of the needs of the populations
most vulnerable to COVID-19.Pillar I: End the Pandemic 6
As of Jan. 19, ACT-A had raised just under 30% Ensuring equitable global access to COVID-19
of the $38 billion needed to help end the acute vaccines could significantly avert excess
phase of the pandemic and begin the road to mortality. A modeling study conducted by
recovering better together.6 If ACT-A were to Northeastern University’s Laboratory for the
be fully funded, low- and low-middle-income Modeling of Biological and Socio-technical
countries would receive 500 million diagnostic Systems showed significant merits in adopting
tests, 245 million courses of therapeutics, and a globally equitable and cooperative approach
1.8 billion doses of vaccines through the COVAX to vaccine distribution and allocation. In a
Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a donor- comparison scenario (A) high-income countries
supported, pooled-funding mechanism. received two-thirds of available vaccines, and
the remaining one third doses were allocated to
To put $38 billion in perspective: With the the rest of the world. In another scenario (B) all
global economy losing $500 billion every month countries received vaccines equally in proportion
from the pandemic,7 it would take only 36 to their populations. In both scenarios,
hours for the cost to be fully paid back once researchers considered a vaccine with 80% and
regular international mobility and trade are also 65% effectiveness. The conclusion was that
restored.8 It also represents not even 1% of the scenario B would avert 61% of deaths compared
$13 trillion G20 governments have spent on to 33% for scenario A — nearly twice as many
domestic economic stimulus in response to the lives saved through fair global access.9
consequences of the pandemic, not even on
fighting the disease itself.
Making the Case for Equitable Global Vaccine Distribution
No one is safe until everyone is safe.
Cumulative Global Possible Deaths Averted
COVID-19 DeathsB Through VaccinationC
= 100,000
Deaths
Actual Through 01.30.2021 - 2,633,105 Uncooperative Vaccine Allocation - 1,196,621
Projected Through 05.02.2021 - 3,626,123 Equitable / Cooperative Vaccine Allocation - 2,211,935
Based on modeling conducted by Northeastern University’s Laboratory for the Modeling of Biological and Socio-technical SystemsPillar I: End the Pandemic 7
There are also tremendous countries polled reported based violence as women are
economic benefits to this disruptions to essential health confined with domestic abusers
approach. According to RAND, services.13 Meanwhile, 80% of under lockdowns as shelters
for every $1 spent on supplying tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria and other services are closed.
lower-income countries programs worldwide reported Marginalized communities
with vaccines, high-income disruptions in services, resulting have been disproportionately
countries would get back about in cases going undetected and affected by the pandemic. It’s
$4.80 in economic benefits.10 treatments being missed.14 therefore imperative that we
Research commissioned by Defeating COVID-19 through act now to end this pandemic
the International Chamber of a fully funded ACT-A and to enable the world to also
Commerce estimates that if equitable global access to address the multiple “shadow”
vaccine supply is monopolized COVID-19 vaccines is the only pandemics that this virus has
by high-income countries, way to relieve this significant caused.
around half of the global added stress on already
economic losses — projected weak health systems in many
to be as much as $9 trillion — countries.
“South Africa is
would be absorbed by those
very countries.11 COVID-19 has reinforced the proud to be one of the
need to strengthen global supporting countries
Ensuring equitable vaccine pandemic prevention and for the Recovery Plan
access remains a critical and preparedness to avert future post COVID-19 by
most pressing global challenge, health crises of this magnitude. Global Citizen under
and a key pathway for ending Countries must work together the patronage of
the COVID-19 pandemic. This to strengthen health systems, the European Union
challenge must be addressed to identify early warning signs Commission and in
alongside efforts to increase of a pandemic, and to create partnership with
vaccine confidence and to strong distribution systems
Italy, the G20 Chair.
reduce barriers to vaccine for vaccines and medical
The urgency to get a
uptake. This is especially countermeasures in order to lay
the foundation for global health
vaccine to everyone
important in communities with and everywhere cannot
known long standing, pre- security.
be underestimated. As
existing histories of vaccine
We Must Take Action Now a country we will be
hesitancy and low uptake.
joining efforts to help
COVID-19’s impact isn’t the world recover better
Strengthening Global Health limited to the health sector. by ending the pandemic
Resilience This virus has disrupted all as a priority, addressing
facets of daily life, especially food security and
COVID-19 has not only among the poorest and most
threatened everyone’s health, hunger, getting all our
vulnerable communities around children back to school,
it has exacerbated the spread the world. Malnutrition has
of other deadly diseases and addressing climate
been exacerbated as poverty
further burdened struggling change and protecting
soars and food systems, supply
health systems. chains, and market access
the most marginalised.
are disrupted by mobility We must ensure that no
In May 2020, Gavi, the WHO, one is left behind.”
and UNICEF announced that restrictions. Mass school
at least 80 million children closures have been a fixture
of the pandemic, with up to Cyril Ramaphosa,
were set to miss their routine
1.5 billion learners affected President of the
immunizations.12 Months
due to physical distancing Republic of South Africa
later, in August 2020, a WHO
survey found that 90% of measures.15 There has been
a concerning spike in gender-Pillar I: End the Pandemic 8
To end the COVID-19 pandemic, drive tens of millions more into
the world needs fair global extreme poverty. Worst of all, it
Over
130
access to medical interventions, will cost more lives.
especially vaccines. But right
That’s why this paper presents
countries
now that’s not happening.
High-income countries, a vision for meeting the global
containing a fraction of the need by fully funding “ACT-A”,
world’s population, have pre- through the donation of surplus
to date have not received
purchased over half of the vaccine doses, and measures
any vaccine doses.
world’s COVID-19 vaccine to increase the global supply
supply, while over 130 countries and affordability of vaccines.
to date have not received any While the $38 billion total
vaccine doses. This is not only funding need of ACT-A through COVID-19 vaccines and other
unjust; it will cause serious 2021 is significant, it is not medical interventions is among
global consequences. It may even a percentage of the $13 the most cost-effective forms
increase the risk of prolonging trillion that G20 nations have of economic stimulus world
the pandemic for everyone, spent on domestic pandemic leaders can implement.
the circulation of mutant viral relief. Meanwhile, the global
variants threatening everyone, economy continues to lose an
including those who’ve already estimated $500 billion each
been vaccinated. It will continue month. That’s why supporting
the global economic crisis and the global equitable delivery of
Photo credit: Santiago Arcos/UNICEFCalls To Action 9
Calls To Action
Pillar I: End the Pandemic
In order to end the pandemic, COVID-19 medical tools — for
the world needs to: example, as Sanofi has agreed
to with Pfizer/BioNTech —
ommit to a roadmap to
•C or by enforcement through
vaccinate 60% of the world legal instruments such as the
population (across regions) by Defense Production Act in
the end of the year in line with the United States. We must
the WHO recommendations. leave no stone unturned and
nsure other COVID-19 tools
•E not underestimate what’s
such as tests, treatments and possible, as the world has
protective equipment remain already exceeded initial
accessible across the world expectations on vaccine R&D
throughout the pandemic. and projected global volume
of doses this year.
Governments, Corporations and
Philanthropists: Pharmaceutical Companies:
ully fund ACT-A and COVAX
•F • Commit to not-for-profit
— USD $38.1 billion ($10.9 pricing of vaccine doses and
billion raised as of this other COVID-19 tools for the
writing). duration of the pandemic.
inancially support additional
•F • Commit to license vaccines
multilateral efforts to increase and other COVID-19 tools
global access to COVID-19 to competitors to maximize
vaccines, treatments, and supply.
diagnostics. • Commit to build or repurpose
onate surplus vaccine
•D manufacturing capacity to
options and doses (and where meet needs for COVID-19
relevant other COVID-19 tools.
tools) to COVAX as soon as COVAX:
possible, ideally before they
are shipped. • Provide timely and
transparent information
upport the increase of
•S to COVAX participants on
manufacturing capacity and expected supply and delivery
thereby supply, especially of schedules towards expediting
vaccines, including through vaccine distribution.
compulsory licensing, IP
sharing and expanding
production capacities.
Options include encouraging
pharmaceutical companies to
provide their manufacturing
facilities to produce proven
Photo credit: Henitsoa Rafalia/World BankPillar II: Stop the Hunger Crisis 10
Pillar II: Stop the Hunger Crisis
MILK
Ensuring nutrition security and
strengthening food system resilience
to deliver good food for all.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic May Affect Hunger in the World: Three Scenarios
D
1000
909.0
NUMBER OF UNDERNOURISHED (MILLIONS)
900
879.0
860.3
827.9
841.4
800 798.4
765.5
778.3 739.5
721.7
700
695.7 704.3
687.8
600
500
400
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019* 2020** 2021** ... 2030**
YEARS
Number of undernourished Number of undernourished Number of undernourished Number of undernourished
(first scenario) (second scenario) (third scenario) (pre-COVID scenario)
Note: The shaded area represents the projections for the longer period from 2019 to the 2030 target year.
Hunger, the Shadow Pandemic
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, billion people regularly did not hunger crisis than by COVID-19.
the world was already grappling have access to safe, nutritious, More than 55 million people
with rising food insecurity and sufficient food. are facing severe-to-extreme
and hunger. The accelerating levels of food insecurity, with
pace of change is challenging The unfolding crisis brought some approaching famine-like
conventional knowledge, on by the pandemic has conditions, according to Oxfam.
undermining and reducing the exposed the vulnerability
lifespan of previously effective and weaknesses of our food As COVID-19 entrenches itself
interventions. Over 690 million systems, which were already in the world, people find they
people experienced hunger, an stressed by climate extremes. have less money to spend on
increase of 60 million people In some places, communities food, and that food costs more
over the past five years, while 2 have been hit harder by the than ever. Meal programs suchPillar II: Stop the Hunger Crisis 11
as school lunch plans, which severe food insecurity. Levels of investments will also improve
the most marginalized people hunger could double, creating a agriculture yield, promote rural
depend on, have stopped amid hunger pandemic for millions of development, and enhance
COVID-19 lockdowns. An people globally. food systems resilience. These
estimated 370 million children measures will be vital towards
have lost access to school meals If the world is to ever rebound ensuring that the needs of
due to school closures in the from COVID-19, the worsening the most marginalized and
wake of the pandemic. hunger crisis must be addressed impacted populations are met.
at the same time as vaccine
As many as 132 million more development and equitable
people may be undernourished, distribution.
with up to 80 million of those
“Citizens around the
people being in low-income Donor governments and world are calling for
countries. In Latin America developing countries must change to build a
invest an additional $14 billion post-pandemic future
alone, the number of people
a year urgently to prevent founded on equity and
needing food assistance almost
millions more from becoming sustainability, and that
tripled in 2020.
food insecure as a result of includes in our food
With food shortages, accessing COVID-19. These investments systems. One of the 5
healthy and sustainably will protect the climate by pillars of Global Citizen’s
produced food has become limiting agricultural emissions, Recovery Plan for the
even more challenging. People increase the resilience and World is to end hunger,
everywhere are being denied incomes of small holder farmers which is also SDG2.
the basic right to nutritious and extend social protection We stand together in
food that Global Goal 2 aims to programs (to enable the support of rural people
achieve. Millions of households purchase of nutritious food, and communities,
that were food secure pre- sending children to school and which is our mission
pandemic have fallen into access to healthcare). These at the International
Fund for Agricultural
Development. We
need to invest more in
sustainable agriculture,
climate adaptation
and a food system that
is fair to small-scale
producers, and delivers
healthy food and decent
livelihoods for all.
There’s only one way to
achieve a healthier, safer
planet with zero poverty
and hunger—together.”
Gilbert Houngbo,
President of the
International Fund
for Agricultural
Development (IFAD)
Photo credit: Joe Saad/UN WomenPillar II: Stop the Hunger Crisis 12
Food Security and Together with the World Food
Sustainable Agriculture Programme (WFP), we will
work to galvanize funding for
Unfortunately, the people most its simple solutions like cash
affected by food insecurity and transfers, social protection
most likely to experience hunger programs, and school meals.
are the very same people whose Evidence shows that small-scale
livelihoods depend on food food producers, who are already
and agriculture. Smallholder financially disadvantaged, are
farmers, food producers, and being hit hard by the effects of
their families are most often the pandemic.
left out of economic growth,
technological change, and We Must Take Action Now
political decision making.
Additionally, climate change The COVID-19 pandemic has
poses a mounting threat to exposed the inextricable link
food systems, while at the same between poverty, health, and
time, the current food system food security. Poor, vulnerable,
is a major driver of climate and undernourished populations
change. face greater risks of severe
illness due to the virus. At the
To end the hunger crisis and same time, poor metabolic
to achieve food security and health, including obesity and
improved nutrition for all, the diabetes, is strongly linked to
world must come together worse COVID-19 outcomes,
to promote sustainable including risk of hospitalization
agriculture. This, along with and death.
investments in building social
safety nets, climate-informed Global Citizen will campaign
digital extensions and resilient to fill the current financing gap
nutrition and food systems, for programs that alleviate the
will be critical to any recovery hunger crisis. An investment to
plan to get the world back on end hunger and strengthen food
track to achieve the Global systems is a prerequisite for
Goals. Research and innovation the world to recover from the
will be crucial in delivering the COVID-19 pandemic.
solutions required to fight
hunger and climate change.
Global Citizen will advocate
for increases in long-term
investments and research to
ensure food systems remain
resilient and production is not
disrupted during the recovery
process. We will pursue this by
supporting smallholder farmers
in the world’s most rural and
poor communities, through
our work with organizations
like the International Fund
for Agricultural Development
(IFAD), Ban Ki-moon Centre
Photo credit: Narendra Shrestha/UN Women and CGIAR.Calls To Action 13
Calls To Action
Pillar II: Stop the Hunger Crisis
In order to end the pandemic, previous pledges to IFAD in the program to reach a total
GC calls on the world to support of the world’s poorest of ten million children in 30
increase funding and financing small-scale farmers and countries.
for nutrition and agriculture — producers. Respond to the
to mobilize at least $14 billion crisis caused by COVID-19 by Ensuring Commitments to
to prevent millions of people supporting IFAD’s stimulus Nutrition and Food Systems
from becoming food insecure as facility to raise $200 million. ouble investment in CGIAR
•D
a result of COVID-19. to deliver science and
• Drive the uptake of the Global
Commission on Adaptations’ innovation to equip food
Governments systems to advance human
recommendations, to support
• I ncrease prioritization of food resilience building of 300 and planetary health; and
security, both humanitarian million small-scale farmers provide good nutrition for all
and long term investments around the world. people while staying within
to prevent a food crisis as a environmental limits.
result of COVID-19. School Feeding Programs aise the profile of the
•R
Support to Smallholder Farmers • Increase financial Nutrition for Growth (N4G)
commitments of $600 million summit: a global pledging
obilize $1.75 billion for
•M
to support the WFP/UNICEF moment to drive greater
IFAD’s 12th replenishment in
to reach vulnerable children, action toward ending
new investments, by asking
particularly girls, in the Sahel malnutrition and helping
governments to double their
and Horn of Africa, enabling ensure everyone, everywhere
can reach their full potential.
Private Sector, Philanthropists
& Foundations
eform food supply chains, to
•R
be sustainable and to support
rural smallholder farmers.
upport critical institutions
•S
like IFAD through financial
contributions and innovative
partnerships.
ollaborate with Global
•C
Citizen to ensure support for
the nutritionally vulnerable,
rural and smallholder farmers.
Photo credit: WFP/Claire NevillPillar III: Resume Learning for All Children 14
Pillar III: Resume Learning
for All Children
Ensuring a #ReturnToLearn for all.
The Case for a Holistic Approach to Investing in EducationE
The Education Divide
258 million
children around the Even before COVID-19
world were out of
school before emerged, 258 million, or one in
COVID-19 six children, were out of school.
Over 1 in 6 children According to UNESCO, 53%
1.5 billion
worldwide of children in low- and middle-
income countries were unable to
read and understand a simple
children have been impacted story by the end of primary
by COVID-19 school closures school. The reasons were
many — some children instead
Note: Cumulative impact,
not current impact were forced to work and earn
wages for their families; young
women and girls’ lack of access
to sanitation and menstrual
hygiene supplies meant missed
1.3 billion
school days during monthly
cycles; children with disabilities
attended schools that weren’t
463 million children worldwide do equipped to support them; and
children worldwide have not have access to the some children were forced to
been unable to access internet at home leave their communities due to
remote learning during
COVID-19 school closures
2 in 3 children worldwide conflict and became refugees.
1 in 3 children worldwide And then came COVID-19, and
the numbers plummeted even
further.
And
Without without action, COVID-19 school closures
action,
72 million affected over 1.5 billion children
10 million more children could fall worldwide and according to
more children could into learning poverty, UNICEF, one-third of school
be permanently which means they
forced out of won’t be able to read or children have been unable
school because of sufficiently understand to access remote learning.
COVID-19 text by age 10.
Without the right resources,
like distance learning tools and
training for remote teaching,
Globally, only 33% of children and young people have internet access at home.
But there is a significant gap between high-income and low-income countries, many of the most marginalized
87% coverage compared to 6%, respectively. children may never return to
school due to risks such asPillar III: Resume Learning for All Children 15
Percentage of Children and Young People with Internet Access at Home, by Country Income GroupF
Children and youths (0-25 years old) Youths (15-24 years old) School-age children (3-17 years old)
100
89
90 87 86
80
70
59 60
60 56
50
40 37
33 33
30
19
20
15 14
10 8
6 6
0
Low income Lower-middle income Upper-middle income High income Global
Globally, only 33% of children and young people have internet access at home. But there is a significant gap
high-income and low-income countries, 87% coverage compared to 6%, respectively.
between
falling into child labor or child all, with a focus on supporting comprehensively supports
marriage. the most vulnerable and education for millions of the
marginalized children and most marginalized children,
At the root of all of these is youth, like girls, refugees, with cross-cutting impact
money and resources — there children with disabilities, and including nutrition provision
isn’t enough investment globally the lesbian, gay, bisexual, through school meals, support
to ensure resilient education transgendered, queer (LGBTQ)+ and empowerment for girls
systems which foster learning, community to ensure no one is and children with disabilities,
can thrive in the face of left behind. mental and physical health
disasters and emergencies, and programming, teacher training,
are able to equitably provide This is also why Global Citizen technology and remote learning
access to education for all. partners with and supports resources, and more.
organizations like Education
Education fosters opportunity, Cannot Wait (ECW), to
75M+
safety, and hope, which builds address the educational needs
a more secure, equitable, and of children that are most at
healthy community, country, risk of being left behind, like
and world. That’s why Global the 75 million children living children living through
Citizen advocates for access to through conflict and crises conflict and crisis around
at least 12 years of free, quality, around the world. ECW’s the world.
safe, and inclusive education for crucial and trailblazing workPillar III: Resume Learning for All Children 16
Digital Access + COVID-19
About 1.3 billion school-aged About
“Over 1.5 billion children
1.3 billion
children do not have access to
and youth have had their
education interrupted by the internet at home, according
COVID-19, and millions to UNICEF16. Another 759
million secondary school- and school-aged children
of these girls and boys
university-aged people do not do not have access to
- already impacted by
have internet access at home. the internet at home,
armed conflicts, forced
displacement and These students can’t learn according to UNICEF.
protracted crises - are remotely when necessary, or
among the least likely to learn basic internet skills that
return, losing the lifeline will equip them for future More than
221 million
that schooling provides employment opportunities.
- unless we act together,
now. Education Cannot This has only worsened during
Wait stands with Global the pandemic, when many children were
Citizen to call on world schools shifted to full-time or impacted by school
leaders across all sectors hybrid remote learning. More closures as of Feb. 1,
to prioritize education than 221 million children were 2021.
for children and youth impacted by school closures as
in crises as part of the of Feb. 1, 202117, and many of
response to this pandemic those who live in poverty and
and ongoing relief so those lack internet access may be left
in the most vulnerable behind. COVID-19 has made need to achieve Global Goal
settings can build back
education for marginalized 4 by 2030 in low- and lower-
better. Only through
children around the world — like middle-income countries,
quality and inclusive
those living through conflict and
education that embraces leaving a $148 billion to $200
innovation and technology crisis, children with disabilities,
and girls — nearly impossible billion annual funding gap for
- and its cross-cutting
without interventions to global education19.
benefits such as water,
sanitation, school meals, support them.
We know that education is a
climate action, mental
Save the Children estimates uniquely strong investment.
health support, protection
and empowering girls and that about 10 million more According to UNESCO, every $1
those with disabilities - children could be permanently invested in education can yield
will we truly overcome forced out of school, and Malala
$10-15 in economic growth.
the worst effects of the Fund reports that 20 million
more secondary school-aged And for every additional year
multiple crises these
children are facing. girls could be out of school after of school a female student
Together, we must the crisis has passed. According accesses, she increases her
bridge the digital divide to the SG Policy Brief18, 23.8 adult earnings by 10% to 20%
and prepare the next million more students may (GPE)21.
generation for a better drop out or not have access to
future. Please join us.” school in 2021 due to COVID-19 It is for these students — the
economic impact alone. ones living in poverty or on the
Yasmine Sherif,
Director, Education To tackle the global education margins of society — that we
Cannot Wait challenges, UNESCO projects must take collective action and
a $504 billion annual financing properly fund global education.Pillar III: Resume Learning for All Children 17
We Must Take Action Now
“I have experienced first hand what it means to be
Our world cannot recover or
emerge better unless education at risk of missing out on an education due to conflict
is resumed for everyone, and and crisis, and what it means to want nothing more
not just those who can afford than to go to school and access the opportunities
remote learning. it creates. My education and knowledge give me
Investments in education a great key to a better future. We shouldn’t allow
offer vital and far-reaching, COVID-19 or any other crisis to prevent a whole
cross-cutting benefits. For generation of vulnerable children miss out on their
example, through education,
right to an education. Global Citizen’s plan presents
school meals provide nutrition,
and inclusive and adequately a unique opportunity to support children and people
resourced educational living in poverty far and wide in recovering better,
programming fosters equity together. I call on world leaders and businesses to
through access to opportunity join us to create a world where education and critical
for marginalized children. We
services like health care and nutritious food are made
can develop future scientists,
engineers, and innovators, as available to everyone, everywhere.”
well as an eco-conscious society
by educating children about Esther Ngemba, former refugee, and education
the importance of protecting and mental health advocate
the environment and halting
climate change.
Global Citizen will therefore
urge world leaders across the
public and the private sectors to
invest in education’s multiplying
benefits for children, and the
world. Global Citizen’s 2021
education campaign will seek
significant new commitments
to ensure all children can
resume their learning, through
supporting critical and
innovative initiatives like the
Education Cannot Wait fund.
This campaign will also urge
financial and in-kind support to
collaborate with Global Citizen,
Education Cannot Wait, and
partners to bridge the digital
divide, through the necessary
infrastructure, training,
curriculum, and resources to
ensure impactful outcomes to
unlock the promise of every
child, and generations to come.
Photo credit: Nahom Tesfaye/UNICEFCalls To Action 18
Calls To Action
Pillar III: Resume Learning for All Children
In order to resume learning for learning materials, mental increasingly connected and
all, the world needs to close the health, school feeding, remote digitized. To do so, we will look
annual $148-200 billion funding learning tools, teachers to work with the private sector;
gap for education and bridge and tackle climate change, including technology-focused
the digital divide for the 2 out equality and inclusion and the companies, to help children
of 3 children worldwide who do digital divide, beginning in the access learning materials,
not have access to the internet classroom. technology, connectivity,
and digital learning solutions. and schooling in the most
• Collaborate with Global challenging environments. We
Citizen, ECW, and our call on new and innovative
Governments
partners to bridge the digital partnerships with the private
• Mobilize $200-300M+ to divide through financial, in- sector, philanthropists, and
help ECW support the most kind, and/or political support. foundations to:
marginalized children resume
education and gain access Private Sector, • Mobilize significant
to learning. With 1.5 billion Philanthropists, & financial support for critical
children out of school due Foundations organizations like Education
to COVID-19, and almost Cannot Wait (ECW) through
a third of these unable to To support two-thirds of financial and/or in-kind
access distance and remote school-aged children worldwide contributions to ensure
learning, we’ll continue to who lack access to the internet children in conflict and crisis
support Education Cannot at home, Global Citizen seeks can continue learning.
Wait’s $400-500 million to bridge the digital divide for
children living in poverty around • Galvanize significant financial
appeal to continue supporting
the world. We seek to ensure all and in-kind contributions
the most marginalized kids
children can continue to learn including from technology-
in 27 countries to access
throughout the pandemic and based and telecommunications
education over the next three
future crises, and are prepared companies to bridge the
years. This funding will allow
to thrive in a world that is digital divide and to connect
ECW to fund schools and
up to 500,000 children,
teachers, and families in
3-5 vulnerable settings with
critical and comprehensive
online learning opportunities
including infrastructure,
curriculum, training, and more,
in partnership with ECW.
• Collaborate with Global
Citizen and our partners
to leverage the Global
Citizen platform to secure
commitments to resume
education for all from
governments, businesses, and
philanthropists.
Photo credit: Santiago Arcos/UNICEFYou can also read
