The COVID-19 pandemic has shattered lives, shaken the economy, and disrupted all aspects of society. Its effects have also extended to humanitarian disarmament. The pandemic has increased the challenges faced by conflict survivors and other persons with disabilities, and interfered with diplomatic processes to address the effects of arms and armed conflict.
At the same time, humanitarian disarmament offers lessons for navigating these difficult times. Its innovative tools can be applied to current challenges, and its people-centered principles can help guide the way to an improved post-pandemic world.
The humanitarian disarmament community has examined the intersection between their field and COVID-19 in advocacy documents, town halls, and written commentaries. This page highlights some of their work. It also includes products developed by a group of experts from seven leading humanitarian disarmament organizations: Bonnie Docherty, Harvard Law School’s Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative; Camilo Serna and Natalia Morales Campillo, Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas; Jeff Abramson, Forum on Arms Trade; Chris Loughran, The HALO Trust, Alma Taslidžan Al-Osta, Humanity & Inclusion; Erin Hunt, Mines Action Canada; and Susi Snyder, PAX.
For more information, see:
- Lockdown Diplomacy: Reflections and Recommendations from a Humanitarian Disarmament Survey
- Open Letter on COVID-19 and Humanitarian Disarmament
- Digital Diplomacy Dos and Don’ts
- A Principled and Inclusive Response to COVID-19
- Video: Humanitarian Disarmament in a Time of COVID-19
- COVID-19 and Disarmament Resources