The COVID-19 fallout: Challenges for the international humanitarian system

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the international humanitarian system to confront a broad set of challenges that will have long-lasting social and economic implications. Immediate health ramifications aside, the humanitarian system is straining to mount an effective response that grapples with COVID-19’s long-term effects on economic prosperity, poverty reduction, social and political stability in fragile states, and international efforts to improve humanitarian conditions.

On December 7, Foreign Policy at Brookings hosted Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs at the United Nations Sir Mark Lowcock for an address on the impact of COVID-19 on humanitarian action. Following his remarks, Senior Fellow Bruce Jones joined Sir Lowcock for a conversation exploring the long-term consequences of the virus and potential policy solutions. Questions from the audience followed the discussion.

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