Arab States and COVID-19: Lessons Learned in Preparing for & Responding to COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic has had a worldwide effect and the Arab states region has not been immune to it. The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the systemic nature of risk. Countries in the region have undertaken timely actions to contain the virus and respond to its threats on the public health system and the broader economy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a biological hazard affecting merely the health sector. While the impact of the pandemic varies from one country to another, it will most likely lead to a generalized increased poverty and exacerbated inequalities at a global scale, making achievement of SDGs even more urgent. Moreover, COVID-19 pandemic is adding pressure to the already overburdened systems in fragile contexts, as they prepare to face other natural hazards such as, floods, wildfires, droughts etc...

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 addresses biological hazards, such as epidemics and pandemics, in addition to natural hazards as a key area of focus for disaster risk management. Four of the seven Sendai Framework global targets have direct links to health, focusing on reducing mortality, population wellbeing, early warning and promoting the safety of health facilities and hospitals.

In response to the emergency caused by COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have declared a national disaster or state of emergency alike mechanism; and Sendai Framework focal institutions such as national emergency and disaster management organizations have been mobilized to the forefront crisis response.

UNDRR launched a survey in advance of the webinar which focused on better understanding the national articulation of COVID-19 crisis response in the Arab States and identify key areas where Sendai Framework has shown to be instrumental in supporting governmental crisis response efforts.

As part of the continuous effort exerted by UNDRR to engage and support countries to reduce disaster risks, the Regional Office for Arab States organized a regional knowledge exchange and policy dialogue webinar with national DRR Focal Points (FPs) and other key regional actors such as the League of Arab States and WHO Regional Office.

The objective of the webinar was to discuss the lessons learned in responding to the COVID19 crisis by the national Sendai Framework focal point institutions; and facilitate a peer-to-peer exchange among national focal points on effective preparedness, recovery and long-term mitigation measures in combating the far-reaching implications of the pandemic.