ACT Alliance joins Civil Society around the world to call for a Global Fund for Social Protection to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and to build a better future.

Despite agreements on the fundamental human rights of all people to social protection and health, over two-thirds of the world’s population are still denied the right to comprehensive social protection. This is especially concerning as the number of people without protection as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic increases. For example, as a result of COVID-19, the number of people that are food insecure is projected to double to a quarter of a billion this year.

“We, civil society and faith-based organizations, trade unions and members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, in view of the global harm from the COVID-19 pandemic, call on governments worldwide to ensure – through national and global solidarity – that national social protection floors are made available to all people with the help of a Global Fund for Social Protection,” reads the Civil Society Call.

The Call explains that national floors of social protection can help to ensure that no one is left behind by securing universal access to essential health care and basic income security. 

“Social protection systems can help to reduce and prevent poverty, counter inequality, and can unleash the creativity and productive capacity of people,” reads the Call.

Signatories to the Civil Society Call also recognize that while the financing of social protection systems falls to national budgets, some countries will require technical support and co-financing from the international community.

The Call further outlines the envisioned governance structure of the board, potential financing sources and notes that the Fund would operate under the principles of accountability, transparency and participation.

The full Civil Society Call is available here.