People should be at the heart of recovery from the pandemic!

What does it mean when people speak of recovery from the pandemic? It primarily concerns the upliftment of trade, resumption of tourism and other suspended activities, reopening borders and institutes, etc. However, one aspect should be above all while the world embarks towards recovery from the pandemic: People.

People globally have suffered adversely because of the gruesome effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, since the new variant Omicron is now making its entry, we must look at the significant aspects of the global recovery.

The gruesomeness of the pandemic

The pandemic shook how the world was functioning before the pandemic. According to a report published by the World Bank, in 2020 alone, the global poverty index increased for the first time in the last two decades.

Additionally, around 100 million people globally were pushed into extreme poverty. Everyone in the pandemic suffered; however, some suffered a lot more than many others. This is because the world runs on the monetisation of goods and services. And, in calamities like the COVID-19 pandemic, the most vulnerable ones suffer the most.

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The lives of the vulnerable

Who are vulnerable people? Simply put, they are those who economically and socially stand in a weak position in the current socio-economic structure of our society. Women, children, disabled people, and people from marginalised communities are considered vulnerable globally.

As the pandemic hit, people lost their jobs; businesses got shut, schools got suspended; amid all this, people from weaker socio-economic backgrounds suffered the most. Thus, the World Bank and other international institutes insist on making people the heart of the global recovery from the pandemic.

People should be at the heart of recovery from the pandemic

The recovery from the pandemic should be directed so that people are enabled to reach their optimum potential. An economy will boost only when its population is equitably empowered.

Strengthen the healthcare system: The most needful thing of the hour is strengthening healthcare systems worldwide. Ensuring the optimum health of people of all communities is the primary need for the recovery and development of any economy. Thus, a sound investment for the betterment of the healthcare system is a must.

Help developing countries in COVID-19 vaccination: The world powers and the wealthy nations must help the developing countries come out of the pit of the pandemic. Additionally, not every country can produce its doses; neither some countries are competent to perform countrywide vaccination drives. Thus, the G20 and other nations need to aid developing and underdeveloped nations in vaccination.

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Build quality education: The next step is to build quality education. Because of school suspension, around 1.6 billion children have been affected, and millions of children globally have been out of education. And, according to the World Bank, girls are less likely to return to school. Thus, countries should immediately plan effective strategies to build quality education for all.

Social and economic protection for the most vulnerable: Millions of people from weaker backgrounds have lost employment. People in rural and semi-urban areas have been adversely affected. Thus, it is high time the world collectively provides efficient social and economic protection to marginalised communities.

Creation of jobs focussing on women and youth: Governments worldwide should promote the sectors that employ women and youth at large. Additionally, sectors like tourism and hospitality that employ women and youth have been adversely affected. Thus, governments need to infuse money into such sectors so that people can get back on track.

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Bottom line

It is pretty clear that governments worldwide need to focus on green, resilient, and inclusive recovery for the wholesome recovery of the world economy. The vulnerable section of the society has been adversely hurt; therefore, effective measures are to be taken to uplift everybody.