structureoflaw

Protect community and civil society organizations In many countries, civil society organizations are doing critical work to support efforts to stem the spread of the virus and ensure that those with COVID-19 – or those living in isolation or under quarantine – have access to needed protection, care, and social services. Governments should protect and support civil society organizations doing this work, as well as those reporting on the impacts of the outbreak. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak in  West Africa , nongovernmental groups, local newspapers, and community radio played a key role in public health education. In Hong Kong , ordinary people have organized themselves to create and distribute masks and hand sanitizers to the most vulnerable to fill policy gaps. But the Chinese government has long maintained a stranglehold on nongovernmental organizations and some groups  are struggling  with reduced funding during the outbreak. In  Italy , authorities ha...