AFRICA’S GOVERNANCE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 | PRELIMINARY REPORT 2020
2.3 Social and Humanitarian Measures
Various countries have established special funds
to help them manage the social and humanitarian
impacts of the pandemic. Several, such as Sao
Tome and Principe, have received grants from
international institutions like the World Bank
to fund their emergency responses. Similarly,
Kenya received funding from the World Bank, as a
contribution to its COVID-19 Emergency Response
Project Fund. Zimbabwe also launched a domestic
and international humanitarian appeal for USD
2.2 billion to cater for the pandemic, including
critical health spending, water and sanitation,
hygiene, food security and social protection. Mali
has dedicated some USD 10.4 million to dealing
with the pandemic. Togo has established a USD
663 million National Solidarity and Economic
Relief Fund to support agricultural production and
ensure food security.
Morocco and Tunisia have tasked their national
social security institutions with responding to
the vulnerabilities introduced by the pandemic.
Their strategic monitoring committees referred
to above support employees who are registered
with national security institutions. They also assist
the vulnerable, particularly those in the informal
sector, who are vulnerable to shocks regarding
economic, social or medical protection. Egypt has
extended social protection to support vulnerable
families. Ghana has suspended the payment of
utility bills for a period of three months, which
terminates in June 2020. It has also established
a Coronavirus Alleviation Program, which is a
social protection initiative that seeks to support
vulnerable households and SMEs.
Some governments, such as Botswana and
Lesotho have issued subsidies to supplement the
wages of workers in the private sector affected
by measures such as lockdowns. The Republic of
Sudan is considering boosting its social safety net
by USD 1.5 billion within three months. It has also
announced a significant increase in the salaries of
public sector employees, and dedicated funds to
support families affected by lockdown measures.
Togo has launched a money transfer program to
help citizens most affected by the crisis. It is also
providing vulnerable social groups with free water
and electricity for a period of three months.
Countries such as Angola, Djibouti, Mozambique
and the Republic of Sudan have substantially
increased their healthcare spending to respond to
the Coronavirus and are granting tax exemptions
for humanitarian aid and donations. South Africa
has established special funds to cater for workers
with an income below a certain threshold for the
duration of four months, assist SMEs under stress,
particularly the tourism and hospitality sectors, and
help the most vulnerable members of society to
absorb the economic impact of the pandemic.
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