Rectifying the effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations in West Africa: a research-action (RECOVER)

The full impact of COVID-19 on West Africa’s vulnerable populations is not well understood. Beyond the effects on immediate health status, rising rates of sexual and gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy point to a significant negative impact as a direct consequence of the pandemic. Uncoordinated responses may unintentionally worsen these and other effects.

This project supports the development of innovative strategies that will overcome this patchy knowledge of COVID-19’s impact and address the fragmentation in policy responses to directly and coherently address the priority needs of vulnerable communities. Initially, researchers will undertake a rapid assessment of both the preliminary effects of COVID-19 and policy responses and strategies across the region to inform immediate, short-term policy and programmatic responses.

The second stage will develop detailed case studies to expose specific COVID-19 impacts on vulnerable populations and a responsive policy framework and multisectoral approach to address these impacts for the post-COVID-19 era. Applying action-research methodologies, the project will collaborate with communities, policymakers, and implementers to jointly analyze the results and develop responses.

This project aims to support West African countries to prepare for future pandemic outbreaks and minimize impact on vulnerable populations. It will strengthen collaboration and learning across seven Francophone and Anglophone research institutions and allow West Africans to develop relevant solutions to address their own specific regional challenges related to pandemics in both the short- and long-term.