The Interagency Task Team (IATT) on young key populations (YKPs) in Asia and the Pacific, co-chaired by UNAIDS, UNDP and APCASO, released the third set of findings from a survey assessing the needs and ability of young key populations to access information, treatment and other HIV services during COVID-19.
Findings from the assessment reveal that restrictive measures meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 have led to a loss of income and employment. Widespread quarantines have left many YKPs, particularly those working in the informal economy, without a source of income. 45% of the respondents stated that they did not have access to food supply and 10% did not have access to clean water during the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic is also having an impact on education systems. According to 36% of the respondents, the restrictive measures prevented them from accessing school or college.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries in Asia and the Pacific have sought to expand existing social security programmes or introduce new schemes, as advised by the International Monetary Fund. However, in several countries, there are still large gaps in coverage and the new schemes fall short of appropriately reflecting the devastating impacts that COVID-19 is having on the most vulnerable populations.
The IATT on YKP has developed a set of recommendations with a specific focus on YKPs and young people living with HIV addressed to governments and other stakeholders to strengthen social protection systems as a critical response to the COVID-19 crisis. Among others, the IATT on YKPs stressed that measures should include access to national social protection schemes, income support schemes and emergency social protection measures for all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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