FEATURE
Writer: More Matshediso
UNDP paints picture of COVID-19 impacts
T
he Coronavirus
as global and regional
(COVID-19) pan-
data and analysis.
demic has taken its
“It is crucial for all countries to ‘build back better’ by addressing both the
toll on vulnerable groups
Finding solutions
in the country, entrench-
Social Development Min-
socio-economic impacts
ing existing socio-eco-
ister Lindiwe Zulu says the
of COVID-19,” notes the
nomic challenges, such
report will help govern-
Minister.
as poverty, unemploy-
ment boost its strategies
She adds it is also
ment and inequality.
as the country continues
important to consider
to fight COVID-19.
the opportunities that
report to develop an
the pandemic has
interactive portal system
With the recently released COVID-19 Rapid
With the contents of the
short- and long-term
“We want to use this
Needs Assessment Report
report now public, UN
brought, which include,
that will be a digitalised
highlighting the impact
agencies and govern-
among others, the rapid
dashboard for everybody
of the pandemic on the
ment and non-govern-
use of technology and
to see what happens in
vulnerable, government
mental stakeholders
the knowledge of how
addressing challenges
will have the opportunity
will deliberate on it and
quickly government and
brought by the COVID-19
to enhance its strategies
discuss possible solutions.
social partners are able
pandemic,” he says.
to better aid those most
According to the Min-
in need.
ister, the pandemic has
to collectively respond to disasters.
Dr Odusola says the greatest impact was
The report was un-
caused tremendous un-
dertaken by the United
certainty and presented
Nations Development Pro-
unprecedented socio-
Leaving no one behind
gramme (UNDP) in South
economic challenges
UNDP South Africa
living in informal settle-
Africa at the request of
for countries across the
Resident Representa-
ments, and this means
the Department of Social
globe, including South
tive, Dr Ayodele Odusola,
that policy attention
Development. It focused
Africa. It also reversed the
says the South African
should be driven towards
specifically on vulnerable
gains that government
Constitution and the
those groups to ensure
groups.
had made in improving
Sustainable Development
that their livelihoods are
the economy.
Goals recognise the
improved.
The report highlights food security, unemploy-
The assessment results
importance of leaving no
found to be in vulnerable groups such as informal workers and people
Strategies and policies
ment and disruptions
demonstrate that the
in basic and higher
pandemic has en-
education as some of the
trenched existing socio-
report focused on the
sector must ensure equal
factors that affect South
economic challenges,
marginalised and most
participation in the econ-
Africans and includes
such as poverty, unem-
vulnerable groups in
omy and equal access to
recommendations as well
ployment and inequality.
society.
services, he adds.
36
one behind. It was for this reason the
developed by government and the private
Public Sector Manager • December 2020/January 2021
