Responding to COVID-19

As the impact of COVID-19 is having unprecedented consequences on the global community, the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers remains committed to fulfilling its mission and vision to achieve global sustainable peace. Nevertheless, the most urgent priority at this time is to save lives, followed by the need to reduce risk of other adverse effects of the crisis, as in many fragile contexts the initial health crisis may develop into multilayered crisis including risk of violent conflict. As this pandemic is impacting all regions of the world, this is an essential time for the international community to collaborate to find solutions, and to support those, who are best positioned to save lives.

At this time, the Network is addressing how COVID-19 impacts the peacebuilding programs of our members and partners as well as ensuring the wellbeing of our staff. We, along with our Members and Supporters and grassroots actors, will continue to explore collaboration broadly in order to play our role in resolving this global crisis.

Reponse of Network Members & Supporters

In this period of uncertainty, it is important to remember that religion and faith can be adapted to meet challenging circumstances. Religious actors and communities can play a pivotal role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 as well as serving as a source of comfort and support. Around the world, we have already seen an extensive demonstration of religious solidarity. The Network encourages religious and traditional actors to take action to help prevent COVID-19 in their communities.

Click here to learn the response and recommendations of Network Members and Supporters pertaining to COVID-19.

Network Resources

Gender Equity and Inclusion in the time of COVID-19

Pandemic created a need for digital peacebuilders

Six Ways Religious and Traditional Actors can prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their communities

Panel: Multi-Faith Efforts in Addressing COVID-19 in Indonesia and Across the Globe

What Religious and Traditional Actors should know about Intimate Partner Violence and COVID-19

Love your neighbour: Islam, Judaism and Christianity come together over COVID-19

(Written for the World Economic Forum)

Programatic Response

“COVID Vaccination Challenges: Ethical Imperatives and Local Realities”

As implementation of national and global COVID-19 vaccination efforts progress, there is much to learn from lived and on-going experiences of religious communities. The Berkley Center convened three religious leaders to link their local experiences to the broader...

AHA! TownHall Explores Gendered Aspect of Peacebuilding during COVID-19

On December 9, the Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers organized a South Asia regional townhall meeting for peacebuilders and AHA! project partners and beneficiaries. Subject of this event was the role of women as peacemakers, and the gendered aspect of...

Youth Play Critical Role in Supporting Interfaith Solidarity

Three young peacemakers from different countries and diverse religious communities gathered for a virtual discussion on 1 December to share...

G20 Interfaith Forum: Supporting Vulnerable Groups During COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, faith communities have played crucial roles, both in partnerships with civil society as well as government entities, in order to address public health challenges and to keep societies functioning during lockdowns and quarantines. As part...

Response to COVID-19: The Case of Religious Leaders in Kenya

The first case of COVID- 19 in Kenya was detected on 13 March 2020. The number of cases steadily increased before the nation’s first two deaths were recorded on 2 April 2020. In an effort to mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19, the Kenyan government imposed drastic...

SEA-AIR Fellows Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (Network) is implementing the European Union-funded consortium project “Southeast Asia: Advancing Inter-Religious Dialogue and Freedom of Religion or Belief” (SEA-AIR). SEA-AIR Project aims to contribute to an...

New Consortium Project Addresses COVID-19 Pandemic through Building Social Cohesion in South Asia

AHA! Awareness with Human Action seeks to contribute to the response efforts of the COVID-19 pandemic by preventing conflict and building social cohesion in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and broader South Asia. Through a collaborative approach, the project will...

Radio Programs in Kenya Raise Awareness on COVID-19 & Religious Tolerance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0kFeCCi_0c&feature=youtu.be The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected religious activities throughout Kenya. However, in line with the government directives to beat the virus, religious leaders are inventing...

Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya: Religious Approaches and Perspectives

Religious leaders and organizations have long played a fundamental role in a community, especially during a time of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is yet another instance where religious leaders have supported their communities in terms of providing physical...

Youth activist Ahmed Aden Hashi spreads information on COVID-19 in Mogadishu by utilizing a megaphone

While the world turns inwards, religious leaders, youth and media take a stand to fight COVID-19 pandemic in Somalia

The fragility of state institutions, health care system, economy as well as the perennial instability and persisting conflicts, makes Somalia one of the least prepared countries in the world to deal with the current global health crisis, COVID-19 pandemic. In addition...

Network Executive Director Writes on Role of Religious Communities during COVID-19 for World Economic Forum Blog

"The COVID-19 global pandemic requires an immediate, whole-of society approach to prevent the transmission of the virus. During this time of uncertainty, faith leaders such as ourselves have turned to our religious texts and theology to find comfort for the community...