A message on coronavirus from Development Initiatives

In these extraordinary times, DI is responding to the coronavirus pandemic in a number of ways to protect staff, those around us, and also ensure the important work we are doing in support of the most vulnerable people across the world can continue.

Our staff

We are taking a range of measures to protect and support our staff. We are stopping all but essential travel and asking staff to find ways to join external meetings and events remotely. All staff are being supported to work from home until further notice. Those who have childcare responsibilities that are affected by the outbreak, particularly in the event of childcare settings closing, can work as flexibly as needed in order to manage these responsibilities.

On 19 March 2020 we set up an Emergency Response Task Force (ERTF) made up of key members of staff from across the organisation. The ERTF will come together daily to develop a coordinated response on business-critical areas and then be responsible for their implementation.

Our work

With so many key external meetings, and our own, no longer being possible in person, we have a plan in place for creating alternative online spaces and opportunities to ensure these important discussions can still progress. We will make the most of webinar and other online meeting technology so that our participation in, and hosting of such events is not unduly impeded by the current circumstances.

Those we serve

Since DI began, we have championed the poorest and most vulnerable people and countries, and the need to prioritise investment in those currently being left behind. They are the least equipped to cope when crisis hits – there will be greater loss of life, more severe impacts on livelihoods, and a far longer period of recovery once the worst is over. Coronavirus is no exception, and we are deeply concerned about the effects this pandemic will have on those who have no safety nets and poor access to quality health services. As ever, we will continue to put those furthest behind at the forefront of our work – shedding light on the data needed to respond effectively, highlighting the impact this is having on the most vulnerable, and showing where and how efforts must be focussed to mitigate the effects of the crisis.

This announcement was originally made on 16 March 2020 at midday GMT, and may be updated as the situation progresses. An update was made on 19 March 2020 regarding the creation of an Emergency Response Task Force.