A people centred approach to COVID-19: placing human rights at the centre of the response.
As the pandemic spreads to poorer countries and those with higher rates of other deadly infectious diseases such as HIV, TB and malaria, we are concerned that those most affected and most vulnerable, those already with the least health security– will also feel the effects of COVID-19 more acutely.
The harsh reality is that many will be unable to practice social distancing or self-isolation, while those in insecure work will have no choice but to continue working – even when they are ill. We are already witnessing HIV prevention and harm reduction services shutting down overnight and threats to the supply of HIV and TB medicines and key commodities.
It is critical during the current COVID-19 global pandemic that the dignity of individuals and human rights are respected in all approaches to prevent and treat it. We must redouble efforts to ensure that stigma and discrimination are not barriers to prevention, accessing medical care, diagnosis, treatment, information and related social support services.
We should learn from the history of pandemics and those for which we still lack sufficient innovations and tools, such as HIV and TB to bend – or flatten the curve.
Raise the bar to flatten the curve: why investing in all aspects of health and human rights is needed to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on existing health systems.
As communities and civil society involved in implementing and advocating for resources for the Global Fund to fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria (“Global Fund”) we have long called for civil society and key populations to be actively involved and engaged at every level from planning, implementation to monitoring.
We have to flatten the curve of poverty, violence, criminalisation, stigma and discrimination. We must make sure that it does not impact access to necessary medical treatment and barriers to care – particularly for those who are most vulnerable. We have seen the damage this has done in HIV and TB and we have significant concern that the same mistakes are being made as we see a “lockdown” vision of global health security in response to COVID-19.
Only with inclusive and properly funded health systems that address community integration and issues of rights, stigma and discrimination can we begin to address the current global crisis of COVID-19 and the ongoing crises of AIDS, TB and malaria. The role of communities is vital in the fight against pandemics, to provide timely, accurate information about stigmatized and vulnerable patients’ needs. Strengthened community-health systems are urgently needed as integral parts of the public health system, as mentioned in the Global Fund strategy, if we really want to leave no one behind.
We must raise the bar of what our health systems can do and how they serve people while we also seek to flatten the curve of the HIV, TB and malaria epidemics and COVID-19 pandemic.
As we have learned in efforts with HIV/AIDS and TB, it can take decades to reverse imposed restrictions, decriminalize and sensitize policy and decision makers as well as the general public when we don’t place individuals rights and dignity at the centre of our response.
Therefore, it is critical that we ensure countries with fewer resources are able to control the virus with global public investment in a rights-based response to COVID 19. We urge governments and international agencies to support efforts to sustain human-rights focused responses to HIV, TB and malaria and ensure that the gains made are not lost.
Communities and Civil Society Asks of the Global Fund in the response to COVID-19
In these early days of the global response to COVID-19, we have seen positive approaches by the Global Fund to allow flexibilities within grants which have already been approved for more than 66 countries and a concerted effort to make information widely available via regular updates. As we step up the fight against COVID-19 we must ensure the Global Fund remains able to stay on track with efforts to fight the HIV, TB and malaria epidemics; our gains remain fragile and could be considerably derailed by COVID-19 in low resource settings.
As community groups and civil society we are therefore asking of the Global Fund as a partner in the fight against COVID-19:
1. Guarantee that human rights, gender equality and dignity are respected and lead in integrating human rights based approaches in any responses developed in the fight against COVID-19 and make sure that we flatten the curve of poverty, violence, stigma and discrimination while raising the bar of what our health systems can do while we respond to this latest threat.
2. Work to ensure that community and key and affected populations are included in all discussions and Working Groups (or similar) at the country and Secretariat levels for pandemic preparedness, responses and monitoring of COVID-19, and be involved in the design AND implementation of the actions.
3. Lead in providing guidance on issues of continuity of HIV, TB and malaria service delivery: ensuring continued delivery on committed targets; viability of supply chains at the national and global levels – including with the aim to ensure that key programs to find and treat people with HIV, TB and malaria remain fully funded and ambitious as a key strategy to protect their health and reduce their vulnerability to COVID-19 while protecting community and other health care workers and addressing lab constraints and diversion of resources.
4. Safeguard the Universal Health Coverage principle of “Leave No-one Behind” and leverage its leadership role within various fora including the World Health Organization, the Global Action Plan on Health among others, to advocate for a response that upholds dignity, aims to achieve universal access to quality diagnosis, treatment, care and adherence support without suffering financial hardship and works to eliminate – violence, stigma, discrimination and criminalization in order to specifically protect those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.
5. Work to ensure aligned efforts that properly support and train all health workers, including community health workers, to protect themselves against COVID-19, including provisions of protective equipment such as surgical masks and respirators as part of aligned prevention efforts and move towards integrated screening and testing services between the 3 diseases and COVID-19.
6. Actively support efforts to innovate and find point-of-care diagnostics, treatments and eventually, a vaccine that are all affordable and accessible.
Signatories to the 6 Key Asks:
Name | Organization | Country |
Aanu’ Rotimi | Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) | Nigeria |
Aanu’ Rotimi | Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) | Nigeria |
ABALO | – | TOGO |
AIDES | – | France |
Akat Pride Arrah | Organisation For Health in Sustainable Development (OHISD) | Cameroon |
AKPAKA Axel | BENIN SYNERGIES PLUS “BéSYP” | BÉNIN |
AKPAKA Axel | Bénin Synergie Plus (BéSYP) | Bénin |
Alberto Colorado | Americas TB Coalition | United States |
Alhadji Moussa Issa | Association pour la Sensibilisation et la Scolarisation des jeunes Cameroun… | Cameroun |
Alhousseini Aboubacar | RENIP+ | NIGER |
ALI KANDI SAR-HABIR TOURÉ | Tous nés libres et égaux | Bénin |
Alice Kayongo | Uganda | |
Allan Maleche | KELIN | KENYA |
Amira Herdoiza | Kimirina | Équateur |
Andreas Gylling Aebeloe | AIDS-Fondet/ The Danish AIDS Foundation | Denmark |
Andriy Klepikov | Alliance for Public Health | Ukraine |
Ange | UCOP+ (Union Congolaise des Organisations des PvVIH | RD-Congo |
Angelo BOJI | House Of Rainbow / RDC | République Démocratique du Congo |
Anton Basenko | Alliance for Public Health | Ukraine |
Apal Bahirwe | VAG/ASBL | République démocratique du |
Arne von Delft | TB Proof and University of Cape Town | South Africa |
Association de Développement Jeunes du Kourwéogo (ADIJK) | ADIJK | BURKINA FASO |
Atef Gerges | Gatef organization | Egypt |
Augustine Kumah | Centre for Adolescents and Women’s Health Initiative (CAWHI) | Ghana |
Aurel GNAHOUI | ONG RACINES | Benin |
Aurélien Beaucamp | AIDES | France |
Ava Mrima | Jinsiangu Kenya | Kenya |
Babacar THIAM | ONG-AWA | Sénégal |
BAKARY | ONG RACINES | BENIN |
Bakouan Boukary | ACAD | Burkina Faso |
Baloumaye De la côte | ASGV | Congo Brazzaville |
BAMANA Baroma Madomba | ONG/CARD (Comité d’Action pour la Recherche et le Développement) | Togo |
Benga Bounya jeannette | Volontaires pour la création et la promotion des Initiatives de Development au Cameroun ( VOPID ) | Cameroun |
Blessina Kumar | The Global Coalition of TB Activists, GCTA | Global |
Bouanga Solat Quentin Fareli | Société Civile | Congo Brazzaville |
Bridged Faida | Consolation East Africa | Kenya |
Cardon Amélie | Sidaction | France |
Carlin Alusa | Sportsmenwomen fighting HI /Aids im keny | Kenya |
Catherine Cook | Harm Reduction International | United Kingdom |
CHAGAS Elyote | Union Sacrée | Bénin |
Charles Siwela | Youth Engage | Zimbabwe |
Choub Sok Chamreun | Activists Coalition on TB – Asia Pacific (ACT! AP) | Cambodia |
Christine Stegling | Frontline AIDS | United Kingdom |
Claude Ehui | ONG SEHMY-CI | CÔTE D’IVOIRE |
Coulibaly Lucie | Alliance Nationale pour la Santé et le Développement Côte d’IvoireCI | Côte d’Ivoire |
Dah ollo Toussaint | Ong l’etoile du Bounkani | Cote d’ivoire |
Daho Charles | Ami des hommes | Côte d’ivoire |
David Perrot | Groupe sida Genève | Suisse |
David Subeliani | Eurasian Network of People who use Drugs | Georgia |
Deme Papa Abdoulaye | Coalition Plus Afrique | Senegal |
Diaka Jules Alexis | ACS/AMO-CONGO | RDCongo |
Dibi | Croix-Rouge française | République centrafricaine |
DISSOKE JEAN JACQUES | ALTERNATIVES CAMEROUN | CAMEROUN |
Djacpou Djomo Serge Laurent | ASSOCIATION D’ASSISTANCE AU DÉVELOPPEMENT (ASAD) | Cameroun |
Djasnarbé ndolmbaye | AJLP | Tchad |
DJEDJEMEL HISE CLARISSE | COLTMR-CI: Collectif des Organisations de Lutte contre la Tuberculose et le… | Côte d’Ivoire |
DJIMBILTH | Planète aides | République du Congo Brazzaville |
Donitchin Ouattara | ONG semir | Côté d’Ivoire |
DOUKPO Maurès | Association COEXISTENCE ENTRE FRÈRES | Bénin |
Dr DIABY Moustapha | ONG Islam Action Sanitaire (ISLAS) | COTE D’IVOIRE |
Dr NZORIJANA Janvière | SWAA-Burundi | BURUNDI |
Ebbe mohamed el moctare | ONG ANAD | Mauritanie |
Ebou | Asgv | Brazzaville |
EDEN Lumière Action Korhogo | ONG | Cote d’Ivoire |
Edona Deva | Community Development Fund | Kosovo |
El hadji mamadou said bocoum | ONG/APDJ | Senegal |
Elise Rodriguez | Global Health Advocates | France and Europe |
EMMA ACINA | solidarité féminine | Djibouti |
Enama Ossomba Jean Paul | Humanity First Cameroon | Cameroon |
ENYEGUE BELINGA JEAN CLAUDE | HUMANITY FIRST CAMEROON | CAMEROUN |
Ephrem MENSAH | Espoir Vie-Togo (EVT) | Togo |
EPOÏ EKWE Richard Félix | Society For Women and Aids in Africa-Littoral | Cameroun |
Esnart Sikazindu | CBTO | Zambia |
Estelle Tiphonnet | Coalition PLUS | International |
FALOLA Venise | ROAFEM | BENIN |
FIRINGA Jonhson Victorius | ONG Réseau MAD’AIDS | Madagascar |
Florence Thune | SIDACTION | France |
FOGUE FOGUITO | POSITIVE-GENERATION | CAMEROUN |
FREIDJI Adil | Collectif LGBTQA+ LIQAAT | Maroc |
Gaëlle perla Mahoro | Right For young feminist&positive life | Rwanda |
GANMOU Euphrem | Jeunes Dynamiques | Bénin |
GOTRE JULES | ONG AMEPOUH | CÔTE D’IVOIRE |
Guy Quentin NGUEMA | Association des Jeunes de l’Okano | Gabon |
Hamza Djibo | ONEN | Niger |
HOUSSIN-FANDY Hortense | ONG RACINES | BENIN |
Ida Savadogo | RAME | Burkina Faso |
Idrissa OUEDRAOGO | Association Bangr Nooma | Burkina Faso |
Idrissa OUEDRAOGO | Association SOS Santé Education | Burkina Faso |
IKE Hakimou | Association pour la Promotion et l’Intégration de la Jeunesse du Centre No… | Burkina Faso |
IMA Pascal | Association Wendkouni du Namentenga | Burkina Faso |
Ingrid Schoeman | TB Proof | South Africa |
Ivanhoe Cruickshank | Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) | Jamaica |
James Forbes | ICAD/CHABAC | Canada |
James Malar | Australia | |
Javier Luis Hourcade Bellocq | Civil Society Sustainability Network | The Netherlands |
Jean Jules KAMGUE | COLIBRI | CAMEROUN |
Jeanne GAPIYA | Association Nationale de Soutien Aux Seropositifs et malades du Sida | Burundi |
Jeff Acaba | APCASO | Thailand |
Jenny Vaughan | STOPAIDS | UK |
Jérémie safari | Rainbow sunrise Mapambazuko | République Démocratique du Congo |
John Kimani | Kenya Network Of People Who Use Drugs ( KeNPUD ) | Kenya |
Joshua Ochieng | EGPAF – CAYA | Kenya |
Joyce Ouma | NEPHAK | Kenya |
Jules BROUKOUM | ONG ADESCO | TIGO |
Juliana Davids | Gender Transformation Network | South Africa |
Julio Cesar Aguilera Hurtado | Fundación Hábitat Verde | Bolivia |
KAFANDO S. Benoît | SOS Jeunesse et Défis Kaya | Burkina Faso |
Katja Tielemann-Ruderer | Germany | |
Katrin Chaker | Association Solidarité Féminine | Djibouti |
Ken Monteith, directeur général | COCQ-SIDA | Canada |
KENGUE TIONGA Irma | Médiateur en santé communautaire du Gabon | Gabon |
Kenmogne Matchim Pauline | Association Femmes et Enfants | Cameroun |
KOFFI N’guessan Blaise | Aide Internationale pour Le Développement Durable (AIDD) | CÔTE d’Ivoire |
KONKOBO Koudnoaga | Croix-Rouge Burkinabè | Burkina Faso |
KOTOKO Mahugnon Fabrice | ASSAP-TB/BENIN | Bénin |
KOUASSI Kra | ONG AIP | Côte d’ivoire |
KOULAMADJI Samson | ONG ZONAL | TCHAD |
KOUMOU ATIPO Marien William Gervais | Association de Soutien aux Groupes Vulnérables (ASGV) | République du Congo |
KOUNKEU NGOUMBA Dagobert Chyrol | Association Camerounaise pour l’épanouissement et l’autonomisation des per… | Cameroun |
Laaziz | Association de Lutte Contre le Sida | Maroc |
Lamla Gamtu | Social change | South Africa |
LANKOANDE André | ATTS / Léo | Burkina Fasi |
LANOKOU-MOULERO Jédidja René Fennerve | ONG RACINES (Recherches Actions Communautaires, Initiatives pour un Nouvel … | Bénin |
Lwazi Mlaba | LifeByDesign Foundation | South Africa |
MAGATTE MBODJ | Alliance des Communautés pour la Santé PLUS (ANCS PLUS) | SENEGAL |
Magouindi Mahothès Koumba | SEDED (santé environnement et développement durable) | Gabon |
Makuala Julia | OASIS RD CONGO | République Démocratique du Congo |
Malik SAMASSEKOU | ARCAD Santé PLUS | Mali |
MALOUMBI Ileryche Patouh | Yemini Santé | Congo Brazzaville |
María Encinas | Salud por Derecho | España |
Mark Lagon | Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria | USA |
Mark Vermeulen | Aidsfonds | netherlands |
Martin-Mary Falana | Kids & Teens Resource Centre | Nigeria |
MARTINS Christian | Coalition des OSC du Bénin pour la Couverture Universelle en Santé (COBCU… | Bénin |
Masaki Inaba | Africa Japan Forum | Japan |
Melle FAMBARE Kankpenampoa | ONG MECAP-FR-TOGO | TOGO |
Michel OUEDRAOGO | Association de Développement Intégré des Jeunes du Kourweogo (ADIJK) | BURKINA FASO |
Milton Ngoveni | Treatment Action Campaign | South Africa |
Miriam Edwards | Caribbean sex Work coalition | Guyana |
Modibo Kané | RMAP+ | MALI |
MODOBE KARY | ASSOCIATION DJENANDOUM NAASSON (ADN) | TCHAD |
Moifo Portia Muedi | TB Proof | Republic of South Africa |
Mombo Lembomba Guy René | RenapsAj – GAC-Covid19 | Gabon |
Mombo Lembomba Guy René | RenapsAj – GAC-Covid19 | Gabon |
Mombunza azuba césar | CONERELA+ | DR CONGO |
Mona Balani | National Coaliation of People Living with HIV in India (NCPI+) | India |
Mona Drage | LHL International | Norge |
Mónica Espinosa | Universidad del Valle | Colombia |
Moussa | Association Afrique Vision | Burkina Faso |
Mpaga Georges | ROLBG | Gabon |
Muhire | Safe Friendly Society | Rwanda |
Mwananawe Aimable | IMRO-Rwanda | Rwanda |
Ndaya | RESEAU DES ASSOCIATIONS CONGOLAISES DES JEUNES/RACOJ | RDC |
NDAYIMIRIJE FICARD | Alliance Burundaise pour la lutte contre la Tuberculose et la la lèpre (AB… | BURUNDI |
NDAYIRAGIJE Marc | EANNASO | Burundi |
Ngou | Impact santé Afrique | Cameroun |
N’guettia Bini kouassi jédiaël | – | Côte d’Ivoire |
Nibogora Berry Didier | AMSHeR | South Africa |
Nicolas RITTER | PILS | Ile Maurice |
Nicoleta Dascalu | ARAS – Association Roumaine contre le SIDA | Roumanie |
Niluka Perera | Global Fund Advocates Network Asia-Pacific | Sri Lanka |
NOGBOU FREDERIC EMILE ELLO | ASSOCIATION POUR LE BIEN ETRE COMMUNAUTAIRE | COTE D’IVOIRE |
NSABIMANA Suzanne | SWAA-Burundi | BURUNDI |
Ntombethemba Ndinisa | Social Change | South Africa |
Oba kami Franck | Affirmative Action Benin | Bénin |
Olayide Akanni | Journalists Against AIDS (!JAAIDS)!Nigeria | Nigeria |
Olive Mumba | EANNASO | Tanzania |
Ouattara | Centre SAS | Côte d’Ivoire |
Ouedraogo | Association pagb zoodo pour le bien être familial et social | Burkina faso |
OUEDRAOGO Romain | Association African Solidarité | BURKINA FASO |
P. Romuald SAWADOGO | CEPROFET | Burkina Faso |
Paul Aimé BAGAFOU | PWYP Gabon | Gabon |
Paul Manyamba | National Association for People living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi (NAPHAM) | Malawi |
Peter Owiti | Wote youth development projects | Kenya |
Peter Wiessner | Action against AIDS Germany | Germany |
Peter Wiessner | Germany | |
Phindile Khumalo | Kwanhliziyonye resource care center | South Africa |
PHOLO MVUMBI ROGER | AGIR POUR LA SECURITE ET LA SOUVERAINETÉ ALIMENTAIRE EN RDCONGO ASSA EN SI… | RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO |
Phumeza Tisile | TB Proof | South Africa |
Pierre Claver Ndayizeye | Alliance Burundaise contre le Sida (ABS) | Burundi |
Pongault Elongo Jean-Claude | Coeur Arc-en-ciel | République du Congo |
Princess Osita-Oleribe | Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) | Nigeria |
Priscilla Simon Ingbian | Community Health Support and Empowerment Initiative | Nigeria |
Rachel Ong | Global Fund Advocates Network Asia-Pacific | Singapore |
Raghavan Gopa Kumar | Uniworld Foundation | India |
Raymond-Brian Sebyala | Nature Network | Kenya |
Raymond-Brian Sebyala | Nature Network | Kenya |
Renate Bähr | Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) | Germany |
Ricardo Fernandes | Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos (Groupe de Activistes en Traitements) | Portugal |
Robin Montgomery | Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD) | Canada |
Robyn Waite | Results Canada | Canada |
Rodrigue Anthony MOAPA WALLA | Réseau des Organisations de Jeunes Africains Leaders des Nations Unies du … | Gabon |
Rodrigue Mouckandza Nzaï | Leveh | Gabon |
Rodrigue Mouckandza Nzaï | Omanda | Gabon |
Rokhaya Nguer | SWAA/Sénégal | Sénégal |
Rosemary Mburu | WACI Health | Kenya |
Roshan De Silva | CARE Consortium | Sri Lanka |
Rostand ESSONO ELLA | RCRSCSR | Gabon |
Rukwatage Javier | THE FUTURE IN OUR MINDS RWANDA | Rwanda |
S. Benoît KAFANDO | SOS/JD Kaya | Burkina Faso |
Sansan kambou edouard | Alliance Cote d’ivoire | Cote d’ivoire |
SAR Francis DO BEHANZIN | EDUSIDA | Bénin |
Sarah Nambudye | Mothers’ Initiatives Africa | Uganda |
Séni na Maingo | – | République Centrafricaine |
Serian Carlyle | TB Europe Coalition | UK |
SEYDOU DIABATE | RMAP+ | Mali |
Shiba Phurailatpam | Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+) | Thailand |
Shobha Shukla | CNS | India |
Sok Chamreun Choub, | KHANA | Cambodia |
SOME Victor | REVS PLUS | BURKINA FASO |
Sophie Dilmitis | Women4GlobalFund | Zimbabwe |
SOUAMY Gildhas | RENAPS/AJ | Gabon |
Soussia Victor Ben-Banadi | Association des jeunes Artistes de Kousseri (ASSOJARTKO) | Cameroun |
Steave Nemande | Evolve | Cameroun |
Stefania Burbo | Global Health Italian Network | Italy |
Stephen Leonelli | MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health & Rights | USA |
Steve Letsike | Access Chapter 2 | South Africa |
Sylvie CHANTEREAU | Friends of The Global Fund Europe | France |
TALLA MOGHOM GHISLAIN ELVIS | HEALTH AND HUMANS RIGHTS CAMEROON(2HRC) | CAMEROON |
Tandile Dlokweni | South Africa | |
Tando Ngewu | Social Change | South Africa |
Tara Hogeterp | Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN) | Canada/Netherlands |
Tariro Kutadza | DAPP in Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe |
Tasnia Ahmed | Speak & Act | Bangladesh |
Thierno Hamidou BALDE | Zéro Pauvre Afrique | Guinée |
Thierno Hamidou BALDE | Zéro Pauvre Afrique (ZPA) | Guinée |
Thonny Adelphe ZUE ESSONO | ENSEMBLE NOUS VAINCRONS | Gabon |
Thuaux | Asgv | Congo Brazzaville |
Tom Muyunga-Mukasa | Most At Risk Populations’ Society in Uganda-MARPS in Uganda | Uganda |
Tom Muyunga-Mukasa | Advocacy Network Africa | Kenya |
Traore alain Abdoulaye | Association dakupa | Burkina faso |
Traoré Cheick Abou Laïco | Association Kénédougou Solidarité(AKS) | Mali |
Treasure Sindisile Ndesi | Social Change | South Africa |
Uwayezu andre | Wiceceka Christian Support organisation | Rwanda |
Valdez Edgar | Instituto para el Desarrollo Humano – Bolivia | Bolivie |
Vianey NAMA | Ong ODD | Gabon |
Viviane TATHI | Association sourires de femmes (ASDF) | Cameroun |
WAFFO LELE FRANÇOIS PATRICK | Avenir Jeune de l’Ouest (AJO) | Cameroun |
WAFFO LELE FRANÇOIS PATRICK | Avenir Jeune de l’Ouest (AJO) | Cameroun |
Wim Vandevelde | GNP+ | South Africa |
Xhevat Kurhasani | NGO KeA | Kosovo |
Yolanda Paul | The University of the West Indies Mona campus | Jamaica |
Yougang Tame Henriette | OFIF (organisation des femmes pour l’islam sans frontières ) | Cameroun |
Yuliya Chorna | TB Europe Coalition | Ukraine |
Yuliya Chorna | Ukraine | |
ZAGABE MUGOLI Martine | Levain Des Femmes du Sud-Kivu | DR CONGO |
ZAONGHO LANDRY STANISLAS | AFAFSI/BF | Burkina Faso |
ZIE KABOGBO CHRISTIAN | COLTMR-CI(collectif des organisations de lutte contre la tuberculose et les… | COTE D’IVOIRE |
Zintsem Angele épouse DIM | “AFVIPO ” association féminine vision positive | Cameroun |
ZULUMUR Roland Ferrand | Plateforme des ONG et Asociations de lutte contre le paludiisme | Congo |
أمينة عجمى | صحتى بيئتى | مصر |