IN BRIEF

The COVID-19 crisis is testing the world’s humanity and resilience at a time that is already marked by acute inequality. With the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic hitting vulnerable and marginalized groups particularly hard, companies can step up to support communities in need. Without sufficient resources to protect themselves from health risks, access to healthcare, or pay for essential goods, many will find themselves in precarious situations. With the alarming loss of jobs across the world, the number of people in these situations will inevitably be on the rise.

KEY STATISTICS

• More than 90 per cent of companies that responded to the UN Global Compact annual survey have policies and practices in place specifically advancing human rights
• More than 450 million people work in supply chain-related jobs. While complex global supply chains can offer significant opportunities for economic and social development, they often present serious human rights risks that many companies have failed to mitigate and respond to effectively.
• For 1.8 billion people who are homeless or have inadequate, overcrowded housing, physical distancing is not always possible. Poverty itself is an enormous risk factor.
• Widespread closure of schools has interrupted the education of more than 1 billion children. Reduction of care and protection services for children, including abrupt closure of care institutions and health services serving children, has increased children’s vulnerability to violence, exploitation, and abuse.