
The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many of us operate on a day-to-day basis. We have seen the cancellation of events, closing of stores, restaurants and workplaces, and the need for physical distancing in order to help control the spread of the virus. Our sector is not immune to all these changes.
How we are responding to this evolving situation:
- We have cancelled all in-person gatherings and events for the foreseeable future.
- We’re continuing to serve our members and sector by operating virtually and working from home.
- We also plan to move forward with all virtual calls with members, unless otherwise specified.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
We encourage members and other international cooperation sector organizations to consult these COVID-19 resources.
OUR ACTIVITIES
Open Sector Letter to Government
The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging Canada’s international cooperation sector. The international cooperation sector has specific context, needs and asks around policy, Official Development Assistance, flexibility, and support for sector organizations.
You can find a final open letter with signatories here. A total of 236 organizations signed on.
On April 21, the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development responded to the sector letter. You can read her response here.
Other Open Letters
We have proudly signed on to several letters in response to COVID-19.
Briefing Notes
Managing Risk in Canada’s International Development and Humanitarian Sector’s Response to COVID-19
The Humanitarian Response Network of Canada Responding to COVID-19
Joint Sector Calls
In partnership with the Canadian Association for International Development Professionals (CAIDP), the Climate Action Network (CAN-Rac), the Inter-Council Network (ICN) and the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), our joint sector calls are an opportunity for various professionals in the fields of international development and humanitarian assistance to share resources and discuss advocacy and the needs of the sector related to COVID-19.
May 12, 2020 – Virtual Town Hall with the Minister of International Development on COVID-19
Recording of the call
The call begins in English then continues in French at the 45:49 mark.
April 23, 2020 – Call on Fundraising and COVID-19 (Members Only)
April 22, 2020 – Call on Human Resources and COVID-19 (Members Only)
April 16, 2020 – COVID-19 Update Call (Members Only)
April 2, 2020 – Virtual Town Hall with the Minister for International Development on COVID-19
Recording of the call
The call begins in French then continues in English at the 47:40 mark.
March 31, 2020 – COVID-19 Sector Impact Call
CCIC, CAIDP, CAN-Rac, ICN and CanWaCH Joint Call
Recording of the call. Presentation slides.
The call begins in French then continues in English at the 48:08 mark.
March 20, 2020 – CCIC, CAIDP, CAN-Rac and ICN Joint Call with Global Affairs Canada
Recording of the call
The call begins in French then continues in English at the 59:46 mark.
Media
Opinion: Championing debt relief as part of Canada’s global response to COVID-19 (May 28, 2020)
Op-ed: Canada should pursue more ambitious international aid plan (Policy Options, May 8, 2020)
Press release: Open letter to government: A Global Response to a Global Pandemic (April 6, 2020)
Press release: The Canadian Council for International Co-operation welcomes federal investment of $159.5 million to support global fight against COVID-19 (April 5, 2020)
Press release: The Canadian Council for International Co-operation applauds federal investment of $8M to help global fight against COVID-19 (March 20, 2020)
Blogs
Save the Children’s COVID-19 learning pathway: Resources for everyone and anyone (April 20, 2020)
Keeping an eye on COVID-19: Operation Eyesight’s approach to leveraging its network in times of crisis (May 4, 2020)
Call to localization in the time of COVID-19 (May 19, 2020)
Promote, improve, inspire: WaterAid Canada’s response to COVID-19 (June 15, 2020)
How KAIROS’ Partners are Responding to the Double Pandemic (June 17, 2020)