In this paper, we explore the Covid-19 pandemic’s evolving impacts and wide-ranging
local initiatives in Mogadishu, Kampala, and Nairobi. Low-income residents often
experienced Covid-19 less as a health crisis (especially in its early waves) and more in
terms of its devastating socioeconomic, political and violent impacts. Although there
were widespread misconceptions about the virus and vaccine, private sector and civil
society groups also raised awareness about Covid-19 via several creative initiatives
that can usefully complement official risk communication strategies. Moreover, we
found a range of Covid-19 responses at different scales, including national taskforces;
philanthropic and private sector initiatives; aid agency initiatives; and grassroots and
other civil society interventions. Some new collaborations and constructive
engagements emerged between state and non-state groups. An array of non-state
actors – including community health volunteers (CHVs), private firms, youth, women’s,
faith-based and refugee-led organisations – were key in assisting marginalised
residents, but these efforts would benefit considerably from additional government
support and recognition. We develop a typology of responses that ranges from quite
top-down coalitions to increasingly bottom-up community solidarity networks. The
typology encompasses efforts around emergency relief distribution, risk
communication, service delivery, livelihoods strengthening and data collection.
Collaborations between state and non-state actors took various forms but were
typically emergency responses, which did not necessarily adopt a strategic, longer term approach to addressing urban poverty and deprivation. Other interventions – such
as enhancing health systems, countering police brutality, supporting multi-sectoral
upgrading and engaging constructively with informality – may open newfound
possibilities of more lasting, equitable change
