Tanzania Civil Society’s Position Paper and Strategic Engagement Areas on COVID-19 April 2020 COORDINATION AND COMPILATION Mr. Onesmo Olengurumwa - THRDC RESEARCH AND DATA ENTRY Ms. Lisa Kagaruki - THRDC ANALYSIS AND WRITING Adv. Clarence Kipobota K-Consult EDITORIAL TEAM Ms. Jane Magigita- EFG Ms. Anna Kulaya- WiLDAF Mr. Jimmy Luhende - ADLG Mr. John Kalage – Hakielimu Mr. Michael Marwa- C-SEMA Mr. Kizito-Makoye –THRDC MR. Audax Rukonge- ANSAF Ms. Rechael Chagonja - Hakirasilimali Ms. Ummy Mkenda - SHIVYAWATA Mr. Onesmo Olengurumwa - THRDC Ms. Nesia Mahenge - CBM International Ms. Rebecca Gyumi - Msichana Initiatives Ms. Janemary Ruhundwa - DIGNITY Kwanza Ms. Jovina Nawenzake - Action Aid Tanzania SUPPORTERS ACTION AID- TANZANIA THRDC ii FOREWORD Just like other countries in the international community, The United Republic of Tanzania has not been spared from the outbreak of COVID-19. Having registered 32 cumulative cases so far, the Government is currently mobilizing diverse efforts and putting in place measures to address and control the pandemic along with its associated socio-economic impacts. It is beyond doubt that to succeed in fghting the pandemic of this nature requires collective efforts and actions of multiple actors in the country and beyond. In that respect, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and all other Civil Societies Organizations (CSOs), ought to take an active role in addressing aspects of the pandemic that falls within their areas of expertise or/and mandates. The National Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (NaCoNGO) commends the esteemed Government of United Republic of Tanzania for its profound leadership and commitment to address the pandemic. The fact that a wide range of stakeholders have been mobilized to participate in fghting the pandemic throughout the country, is a manifestation that the Government is ready to collaborate with everyone in galvanizing ongoing initiatives against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is within that context, CSOs have joined hands with the Government in terms of supporting different initiatives geared towards preventing the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating the impact of the pandemic in the country. NaCoNGO acknowledges the valued role of NGOs and all other CSOs in complimenting Government efforts, and for taking steps towards defning what could be the role of CSOs and how best should the sector participate in the fght against COVID-19. NaCoNGO believes that the present Position Paper and Strategic Action Plan by CSOs offer a pertinent platform to open fruitful engagement between the Government and all CSOs to ensure that the potential endowed by CSOs are adequately harnessed to fght the COVID-19 pandemic. NaCoNGO therefore applauds all those who have taken this collective initiative and urges other CSOs/NGOs from all the corners of this country to join this noble mission and collaborate with the government at these diffculty times. Together we can emerge much stronger out of this pandemic! Nicholas Zakaria Chairman of NaCoNGO iii ABOUT THE CSOs DIRECTORS’ FORUM The CSOs Directors’ Forum (CDF) is a platform which offers a range of opportunities for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to, among others, (i) interact and learn from each other especially on the availability of opportunities which can be tapped; (ii) enhance the capacities of CSOs through peer learning; (iii) deliberate on, analyze and recommend on pertinent issues concerning the CSS and the national development at large; and, (iv) engage in advocacy interventions generally. Currently, the forum is comprised of more than 200 directors, representing a range of CSOs in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. The CSOs forming this forum are all registered organizations with mandate on issues pertaining to gender rights, health, education, governance, environment, economy, policies, legal development, disability, children, women, elderly and human rights in general. Basing on this huge assortment, the CSOs Directors’ forum authorized its secretariat/ coordination unit, the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and Action Aid- Tanzania to lead the mobilization of efforts for this particular CSOs COVID-19 engagement. As of now, the CDF is the only main CSOs loose and inclusive forum in Tanzania that leads and coordinates common issues related to Civil Sector in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. iv T ABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................................................................................... iii ABOUT THE CSOs DIRECTORS’ FORUM............................................................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................... ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................................................x CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION .................................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION: JUSTIFICATION OF CSOs ENGAGEMENTS .....................................................................1 1.2 ESSENCE OF THIS POSITION PAPER ............................................................................................................................3 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF POSITION PAPER ................................................................................................................................3 1.4 FOCUS AND SOME OF MAIN CONCERNS ON ANTI-COVID 19 MOVE ..................................................4 1.4.1 Perceived Gender Insensitivity ......................................................................................................................4 1.4.2 Inadequate Refection of the Reality on the Ground ..........................................................................4 1.4.3 Inadequate Consideration of the Possible ‘Hit-Backs’ .......................................................................5 1.4.4 Insuffcient State Attention on Crowded Places ...................................................................................5 1.5 METHODOLOGY AND GOVERNING PRINCIPLES – ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK ..........................6 CHAPTER TWO: ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF COVID-19 AND POSSIBLE MITIGATION STRATEGIES . .................................................................................................8 2.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................................8 2.2 EDUCATION SECTOR .............................................................................................................................................................9 2.2.1 Observed Potential Impacts on the Education Sector ......................................................................9 2.2.2 Possible Actions to Mitigate the Negative Impact ............................................................................ 10 2.3 IMPACTS ON THE INFORMAL SECTOR .................................................................................................................. 11 2.3.1 Observed Potential Impacts on Informal Sector ................................................................................ 11 2.3.2 Possible Actions to Mitigate the Negative Impact ............................................................................ 14 v 2.4 IMPACTS ON FARMERS, PASTORALISTS, HUNTERS AND FISHING COMMUNITIES ............... 15 2.4.1 Observed Potential Negative Impacts ................................................................................................... 15 2.4.2 Possible Actions to Mitigate Negative Impacts .................................................................................. 16 2.5 IMPACTS ON THE EXTRACTIVE SECTOR ............................................................................................................ 17 2.5.1 Observed Potential Negative Impacts ................................................................................................... 17 2.5.2 Possible Actions to Mitigate Negative Impacts .................................................................................. 19 2.6 IMPACTS ON THE ECONOMY - GENERALLY ..................................................................................................... 19 2.6.1 Observed Negative Impacts on the Economy ..................................................................................... 19 2.6.2 Possible Actions to Mitigate Negative Impacts .................................................................................. 21 2.7 IMPACTS ON CHILDREN ................................................................................................................................................ 21 2.7.1 Observed Negative Impact to the Welfare of a Child...................................................................... 21 2.7.2 Possible Actions to Mitigate Negative Impacts .................................................................................. 23 2.8 IMPACTS ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ....................................................................................................