The Humanitarian Response to COVID-19

Map of the Month 08/2020

Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was already being regarded as the year of the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. Millions of people are now in danger of losing their livelihoods and of falling into poverty. The Global Humanitarian Response Plan COVID-19 (GHRP) provides an overview of the additional humanitarian requirements of all UN agencies in the context of the pandemic. Since the publication of its first edition at the end of March that asked for $2 billion for 54 countries, the requirements were strongly revised upwards within a couple of weeks. Currently, the total requirements for a total of 63 countries stand at $10.31 billion until the end of the year. So far (as of August 18) only $ 2.19 billion have been received. Experts warn that development gains of several decades are at stake if not more than the 20% that have been made available until now are provided soon. So far the US is the largest donor (with more than 100 times the amount provided by China), followed by Japan and Germany.

Criticism and support for China in the Human Rights Council

Map of the Month 07/2020

In the framework of the 44th Human Rights Council in Geneva, 27 countries supported a UK-led joint statement which heavily criticized China's actions in Xinjiang and the controversial national security law for Hongkong. However, a statement by 46 countries, led by Belarus, dismissed criticism towards China regarding Xinjiang. Another statement, presented by Cuba and backed by 53 countries defended the national security law for Hongkong. The following map illustrates which countries supported the respective statements.

Map of the Month 06/2020

Forced displacement remains a crucial global challenge. On 18 June 2020, the UNHCR published its new Global Trends Report. The following maps illustrate some of its key elements.

New interim solution for WTO dispute settlement

Map of the Month 05/2020

The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been inoperative since December 2019. An important pillar of the WTO was severely damaged. On 30 April, 19 WTO members (including the EU) agreed upon an interim appeals procedure. Under this temporary agreement, an arbitration tribunal will hear appeals based on existing WTO rules. This instrument will remain until the Appellate Body becomes operational again. Already on 24 January, 17 WTO members signed a political declaration in Davos indicating such a step. The list of participants has somewhat changed in the meantime. The following maps show the countries which have signed the political declaration (24 January) and those which are now (30 April) participating in the new interim appeals procedure.