This policy brief presents the findings of the Sustainable Futures research project (Botswana Hub), which documented the experiences of vulnerable communities in Old Naledi and Damochujenaa during the Covid 19 pandemic. Lockdowns and restrictions exacerbated vulnerabilities among these communities increasing food insecurity and hunger. Public health measures need to be balanced against other risks such as insecure incomes, weak social protection systems and limited access to basic services. Crisis responses must be based on local needs and capacities and promote strong community engagement.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed societies across the world. In Uganda, COVID exacerbated preexisting vulnerabilities in  communities in both rural and urban areas exposing the weaknesses of health and social assistance systems. What can be done to improve responses to emergencies the future? This policy brief outlines recommendations and priorities for action. It is based of the findings of the research project Whose crisis? Which captured the impact of the pandemic on communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Covid 19 restrictions and lockdowns worsened already precarious livelihoods and endemic poverty in across Nigeria. The impacts of the pandemic on vulnerable communities have exposed the weaknesses of crisis responses at the local, state and federal levels. Socioeconomic recovery requires policies to promote resilient and sustainable livelihoods and protect households against future shocks. This in turn calls for close collaboration between governments, civil society, and private sector.

This brief provides policy recommendations for effective emergency responses that support local economies and provide social safety nets. Recommendations are based on in-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of stakeholders including academic experts, traditional and political leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and communities. The goal was to encourage debate on long-term, sustainable and indigenous socioeconomic progress. This initiative was part of the research project “Whose Crisis? The global COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of communities in Africa,” which aimed to explore the lived experiences of communities in Uganda, Nigeria, Eswatini, Malawi and Botswana.

This policy brief presents the findings of the Whose Crisis? research project which aimed to document the lived experiences of vulnerable communities during the Covid 19 pandemic in sub–Saharan Africa. The brief focuses on the impact of pandemic restrictions on communities in Eswatini drawing key messages from the research to inform future emergency responses. Research findings demonstrate that Covid 19 restrictions had severe impacts on lives and livelihoods, ultimately leading to feelings of resentment, neglect, hopelessness, and anger. Crises interventions must be adapted to local capacities and context.

This policy brief summarises the findings of the Whose Crisis? research project which aimed to understand lived experiences of communities in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic in Malawi. The brief outlines key messages to help stakeholders improve future emergency responses. More coordination among sectors and strong engagement with vulnerable communities can lead to more effective interventions.