Kenya Platform (Social Protection Actors Forum) continues to engage with the government and Parliament in protecting socio-economic rights. The government is planning to repeal the Social Assistance Act 2013, without providing mechanisms for an alternative law that will guide social assistance. The platform has been vigilant in this legal process to ensure social assistance rights are anchored in law. The platform has drafted a memorandum on the Social Assistance (Repeal) Bill of 2020, which was shared with the Kenyan Parliament. They have also made oral submissions on this to Parliament. CSOs have also been involved in the distribution of food, hygiene kits as well as sensitization of their members on COVID 19 as well as government COVID 19 guidelines, staying safe, GBV, child-sensitive social protection among others.
CSOs are monitoring government interventions which include the distribution of food (rice, oil and sugar) to about 86% of households in The Gambia. CSOs support in social mobilization and awareness creation. CSOs in Gambia also participate in government coordination meetings as well as food distribution.
In Zimbabwe, CSOs are responding to COVID-19 differently. Local and international organizations with access to immediate funds are responding mainly through the provision of hygiene kits and improving access to portable water. Hygiene Kits include masks, water buckets with taps, soaps etc. there has been an increase in the provision of COVID-19 messages through mainly SMS as well as short radio and television adverts and digital marketing.
In Nigeria, CSOs are providing palliatives to communities across the country ranging from the donation of PPEs to food items and cash.
In Senegal, the government was providing food to 1 million households during this period, CSOs are involved in the sensitization of communities on on-going programmes, as well as social accountability to ensure the cash transfers reach the most deserving. The CSOs are organizing a think-tank to ensure CSOs' contribute in deliberations on Post – COVID 19.
Mozambique Platform for Social Protection (PSCM-PS) has advocated for the introduction of an unemployment benefit to informal workers already registered with the INSS and to consider a special subsidy to be paid to all beneficiaries registered in the subsystem of basic social services. In addition to advice, the National Social Action Institute (INAS) considers “expanding the coverage of its programs to all candidates on the waiting list and increasing subsidies over the next six months, to compensate households for loss of income. Considering the fact that 88% of the economically active population in Mozambique are informal workers, who do not enjoy labor or social protection, NGOs have proposed to support informal workers who are not registered with the INSS or INAS, on a short term basis.
In Uganda, the Uganda Social Protection Platform (USPP) members have enhanced civic awareness of social protection particularly during this COVID 19 period through webinars and live twitter, and engaged in media discussions on TV and radio. The platform has also continued to promote social accountability in cash transfer programmes.
The South African Platform (SANCOCO) played a key role in holding the South African government accountable to transparency and accountability; the platform also continues to monitor implementation of social protection programs to ensure actual beneficiaries received their cash transfers. The platform also undertakes direct support to vulnerable population who experienced negative impacts from the COVID 19 lockdown
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