5. News and resources from: East Asia & Pacific

American Samoa

Legal Document
- An order to adopt provisions of the Hawaii Employment Security law for implementation of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and federal pandemic Unemployment Compensation programs | 27 May | Office of the Governor - American Samoa Government

Australia

Blog
- Public aid performance reporting: could less be better? | 30 June | Devpolicy
Government Information
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and support | 23 March | Australian Government - Department of Social Services
- $1.1 billion to support more mental health, medicare and domestic violence services | 29 March | Australian PM
- Economic Response to the Coronavirus | Australian Government
News Article
- Coronavirus in Australia: Renters experiencing hardship will be protected by a relief model | 20 March | News.au
- Federal Government offers $130b in coronavirus wage subsidies for businesses to pay workers | 30 March | ABC News
- Economic Response to the Coronavirus | 31 March | Australian Government
- More casual workers may be included in $130bn job keeper coronavirus scheme | 05 April | The Guardian
- Coronavirus stimulus: JobKeeper loophole means casual staff may not get $1500 | 06 April | news.com
- The poor bear the burden of the coronavirus downturn, but inequality is not inevitable in Australia | 13 April | The Guardian
Multimedia
- JobSeeker payments and the approaching unemployment cliff | 22 May | Asia & the Pacific Policy Society
Report
- Partnerships for recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 development response | 29 May | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia

Cambodia

News Article
- World Bank approves $20M to fight virus in Kingdom | 05 April | Phnom Phen Post
- Officials aid poor in virus fight | 13 April | The Phnom Penh Post
- Domestic workers struggling to make ends meet | 16 June | Khmer Times
- COVID-19 aid given to Cambodians abroad | 18 June | Khmer Times
- Getting help quickly to the very poorest | 24 June | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
- 83,000 poor households to receive food assistance from WFP | 26 June | Khmer Times
- COVID-19 leads to possible food crisis in Cambodia | 29 June | Khmer Times
- ADB Approves US$250 Million Loan to Support Cambodia’s COVID-19 Response | 08 July | Agence Kampuchea Presse
- Cambodia allocates $1.16 billion USD for economic, social supports during COVID-19 | 09 July | Khmer News
- Making Social Protection In Cambodia More Inclusive, Effective And Efficient | 15 July | United Nations Development Programme
- Cambodia Issues Additional Support for Workers and to Revive Economy | 05 August | Association of Southeast Asian Nations Briefing
Report
- UN Cambodia framework for the immediate socio-economic response to COVID-19 | September 2020 | United Nations Sustainable Development Group [New]

China

Blog
- China’s COVID-19 Pacific diplomacy | 27 May | Devpolicy
Brief
- Issue Brief - Universal Basic Income – Findings from China & Implications for Responses in COVID-19 | April 2020 | United Nations Development Programme
Government Information
- Govt policy moves from past week | 16 June | The State Council of the People's Republic of China
- Banks to back employment, work recovery | 09 July | Government of the People's Republic of China
News Article
- China Focus: Job-hunting moves online to ease employment pressure amid epidemic | 20 March | XinHua News
- China ups support to firms to ensure employment amid COVID-19 epidemic | 25 March | XinHua News
- A slump exposes holes in China’s welfare state | 07 May | The Economist

Federated States of Micronesia

Government Information
- ATTENTION FSM CITIZENS STRANDED ABROAD: You Are Entitled to $1,000 Per Single Adult or $1,500 Per Family Application; Here’s How You Apply | 10 June | The National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia
- ATTENTION FSM CITIZENS: Lost Your Job Due to COVID-19? Here’s How You Can Apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program | 17 June | The National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Fiji

Blog
- The Economic Impact of COVID-19 around the World: Remittances, Updated Growth and Poverty Projections, and the Reintroduction of Barter in Fiji | 21 May | Center for Global Development
- How to Build Back Better After the COVID-19 Crisis? A Practical Approach Applied to Fiji | 17 September | The World Bank [New]
Op-Ed
- Fiji civil society solidarity driving the COVID-19 humanitarian response | 04 June | Devpolicy

Guam

News Article
- Coronavirus: Guam children get free Grab-N-Go meals starting Monday | 20 March | Pacific Daily News

Indonesia

Blog
- Indonesia and COVID-19: KSBSI facilitates pre-employment card and SPMI assists returning migrant workers | 09 April | Asia Network on the Right to Social Protection
- Life or livelihoods? Indonesia’s social policy response to COVID-19 | 01 May | Marco Schaefer
- Adapting in the pandemic to provide water and sanitation to Indonesia’s rural poor | 02 June | The World Bank
Brief
- UN Women Indonesia COVID-19 Response | 11 June | United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
- Indonesia COVID-19 Response Situation Report | 14 July | United Nations Children's Fund
- COVID-19 Economic and Food Security Implications for Indonesia - 3rd edition | August 2020 | World Food Programme
- Situation Update: Response to COVID-19 in Indonesia | 31 August | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs [New]
Multimedia
- Podcast: A precarious position – Indonesia’s workers in the pandemic | 31 July | Asia & the Pacific Policy Society
News Article
- Social protection, food supply crucial to prevent unrest amid pandemic: Economists | 14 April | The Jakarta Post
- Seniors left to face COVID-19 without social security | 26 April | The Jakarta Post
- Indonesia: Health and social security in a pandemic | 04 May | Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
- Economic Reforms and Investments in Health, Social Protection and Infrastructure will Support Indonesia Sustainable Recovery | 16 July | The World Bank
Reports
- Investing in People: Social Protection for Indonesia’s 2045 Vision | 20 May | World Bank Group

Japan

News Article
- ¥200,000 cash payout eyed for households affected by virus | 03 April | The Japan News
- Gov't to earmark ¥1 tril for reserve fund to fight coronavirus | 06 April | Japan Today
- Japan offers $930 virus stimulus payment to all residents | 17 April | France 24
- Declaring a National Emergency, Japan Responds with a Fully Universal 100,000 Yen ($930) Stimulus Check to All Citizens | 20 April | Basic Income Today
- How to get the ¥100,000 coronavirus payout from the Japanese government | 21 April | The Japan Times

Laos

Brief
- Impact of COVID-19: An Early Recovery Rapid Assessment in the Lao PDR | 07 September | World Vision [New]

Maldives

Blog
- Reaching women migrant workers in Malaysia amid the COVID-19 health crisis | 19 June | International Labour Organization
Brief
- Rapid Livelihood Assessment: Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis in the Maldives | 28 May | United Nations Development Programme
Government Information
- Unofficial translation of the Statement delivered by His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, regarding the current outbreak of COVID-19 in the Maldives | 20 May | The President's Office of the Republic of Maldives
News Article
- ADB President, Maldives Finance Minister Discuss COVID-19 Response | 01 July | Asian Development Bank
- Supporting Vulnerable Workers in Maldives Amid the COVID-19 Crisis | 07 August | The World Bank

Malaysia

Blog
- Defending livelihoods in response to COVID-19 | 27 April | The World Bank
News Article
- Children and coronavirus: A social protection view | 25 March | Malay Mail

Mongolia

Brief
- Mongolia: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation Report No. 4 | 12 August | United Nations Children's Fund

Myanmar

Blog
- LIFT and DSW announce USD9 million in COVID-19 cash support to mothers, pregnant women and social pension beneficiaries | 27 May | Livelihoods and Food Security Fund
- Every action counts: How NGOs are supporting Myanmar’s displaced - Part 1 | 18 June | InterAction
- Improving farming productivity in Rakhine State | 01 July | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Brief
- Myanmar Child Protection Working Group - Emergency Preparedness and Planning 2020/21 | August 2020 | Global Protection Cluster
- Myanmar Child Protection Working Group - Emergency Preparedness and Planning 2020/21 | 17 August | Global Protection Cluster
- WFP Myanmar COVID-19 Situation Report #10 | 02 September | World Food Programme
Government Information
- Vice President U Henry Van Thio discusses post-COVID activities for PWDs | 09 June | President Office of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
- FAO provides cash support along with agricultural inputs to vulnerable farmers | 11 August | Food and Agriculture Organization
News Article
- ‘Leaving no one behind’ – Myanmar COVID19 Economic Recovery Plan | 30 April | Mizzima
- Myanmar to provide social security benefits for workers amid Covid-19 shutdown | 30 April | The Star
- Myanmar gov't provides social security benefits to COVID-19-affected workers | 26 May | XihuaNet
- COVID-19: Female leadership and livelihood opportunities in Myanmar | 24 July | The Lutheran World Federation
Report
- Coronavirus policy response needs and options for Myanmar | April 2020 | International Growth Centre
- COVID-19 Early Recovery Rapid Household Needs Assessment | 15 July | World Vision International

Nepal

Brief
- COVID-19 Socio-economic Survey Report - Humanitarian Response Team DCA Nepal Office | 17 June | DanChurchAid
Multimedia
- COVID-19 Pandemic and Migrant workers: the experience from Nepal | 24 June | International Labour Organization

New Caledonia

Website
- Les mesures de soutien | Sécurité Sociale de Nouvelle-Calédonie

New Zealand

Government Information
- Resurgence Wage Subsidy announcement | 17 August | Ministry of Social Development
News Article
- Working families, beneficiaries get boost from Government coronavirus package | 17 March | NZ Herald
Op-Ed
- Bigger payouts for Covid beneficiaries could end up benefitting everyone | May 2020 | The SpinOff
- Covid 19 coronavirus: Who gains and who misses out on new $490 a week income subsidy | 26 May | NZ herald
- Former Prime Minister of New Zealand has thrown her support a guaranteed minimum income | 26 June | Basic Income Today
Website
- Work and Income | New Zealand Government

Northern Mariana Islands

Government Information
- PSS suspends meal distribution | 31 March | Saipan Tribune

Papua New Guinea

Blog
- How to spend K320m to support PNG agriculture, households and businesses | 18 June | Devpolicy
Op-Ed
- The impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods in Papua New Guinea | 12 June | Asia and the Pacific Policy Society
Report
- COVID-19 Multi-Sector Response Plan - Papua New Guinea Disaster Management Team (as of 21 May 2020) | 21 May | United Nations Country Team in Papua New Guinea

Phillippines

Brief
- BULLETIN: COACHING THROUGH CRISIS: Graduation in the Philippines during COVID-19 and beyond | April 2020 | Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee
- Building resilience in the midst of ensuing chaos in the Philippines | 29 September | Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee [New]
News Article
- PCCI proposes access to cash-transfer funds to provide relief for small firms | 18 March | Business world
- A Philippine social protection and economic recovery plan | 22 March | Business World
- Duterte gets powers to aid poor, health workers | 25 March | Inquirer.net
- 18 million families to get cash aid under Philippines' coronavirus stimulus | 25 March | ABS-CBN News
- PhilHealth to cover expenses of COVID-19 patients with unpaid contributions | 02 April | CNN Philippines
- 4Ps beneficiaries in CV receive cash grants | 03 April | Philippines News
- Philippines typhoon recovery, complicated by coronavirus concerns | 15 May | United Nations News
- DSWD-11 to distribute SAP 2nd tranche this June | 25 June | Republic of the Philippines News Agency
- Social protection should be sector-specific – UP experts | 14 July | Manila Bulletin
- Life-saving aid given to 21,474 forcibly displaced individuals in Mindanao amid COVID-19 | 29 July | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- COVID-19 Response in the Philippines: Delivering Critical Aid to the Forcibly Displaced | 30 July | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- Philippines: UN and partners launch major COVID-19 response plan to aid 5.4 million | 04 August | United Nations News
- COVID-19: Philippine President Duterte Approves Additional P5-B fund to help Filipino Expats | 09 August | Khaleej Times
- Leave no one behind: UN-BARMM program launched to help build resilience of the Bangsamoro people | 16 August | The United Nations Children's Fund
- ADB Supports Philippines' Financial Inclusion Reforms with $300 Million Loan | 21 August | Asian Development Bank
- Leave no one behind: UN-BARMM program launched to help build resilience of the Bangsamoro people | 16 August | The United Nations Children's Fund
Op-Ed
- Ephemeral universalism in the social protection response to the COVID-19 lockdown in the Philippines | 26 June | International Institute of Social Sciences
- COVID-19: UN and humanitarian partners lending a hand to the most vulnerable Filipinos | 20 July | Manila Bulletin
Reports
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situation Report 33 | 20 May | World Health Organization

Samoa

COVID-19 Socio-economic response plan 2020 | August 2020 | United Nations Sustainable Development Group

Singapore

Website
- Support For Singaporeans Affected By COVID-19 | Ministry of Social and Family Development

South Korea

Brief
- Covid19: The experience of the National Pension Service of Korea (NPS) | June 2020 | National Pension Service of Korea
News Article
- S. Korea to dole out relief cash fund based on health insurance | 03 April | The Korea Herald
- ROK to Scale up Humanitarian Assistance over COVID-19 | 05 June | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
- Emergency relief payments breathe life into domestic consumption | 12 June | Korea.net
- President pledges plan to improve job insurance by year's end | 08 July | Korea.net
- After universal cash relief, South Korea is showing increasing interest in universal basic income | 12 August | Basic Income Today
Op-Ed
- South Korea’s Pension Fund to Adopt New Hiring Policy Amid Staff Exodus | 14 June | The Diplomat
- South Korea Considering Universal Basic Income Post-COVID | 15 June | Basic Income Today
Report
- Tackling COVID-19 Health, Quarantine and Economic Measures: Korean Experience | 31 March | The Government of the Republic of Korea

Timor Leste

Brief
- COVID-19: policy responses in Timor-Leste | 08 September | International Labour Organization [New]
Government Information
- Government initiates payment of monetary support to households in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic | 09 June | Government of Timor-Leste
- Governo assina acordos com o ADB e com o PNUD para programa de segurança alimentar | 09 July | Governo de Timor-Leste
News Article
- Governo inicia pagamento do apoio monetário aos agregados familiares no âmbito da pandemia de COVID-19 | 09 June | Government of Timor-Leste
Op-Ed
- Timor-Leste’s Coronavirus Response | 04 May | The Diplomat

Thailand

Blog
- The Thai economy: COVID-19, poverty, and social protection | 28 April | The World Bank
News Article
- Govt plans more stimulus, monetary policy flexibility | 03 April | Bangkok Post
- Covid-19 benefit boost sought | 07 May | Bangkok Post
- Thailand ranks 8th for protecting children’s rights under pressure due to COVID-19 | 02 June | Pattaya Mail
- $1.5 Billion ADB Loan to Support Thailand's COVID-19 Response | 04 August | Asian Development Bank
- Thailand’s COVID-19 response an example of resilience and solidarity: a UN Resident Coordinator’s Blog | 04 August | United Nations News
Op-Ed
- Thailand needs to do more to support older people from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic | 07 July | HelpAge International

Tonga

News Article
- Over 1,000 Tongan Households Get Boost to Help Keep Students in School | 23 June | The World Bank
- Tongan families being supported by Australia during COVID-19 impacts | 09 July | Government of the Kingdom of Tonga

Vietnam

Blog
- The key to Viet Nam’s successful COVID-19 response | 01 September | United Nations Sustainable Development Group
Brief
- Income security during public health emergencies: the COVID-19 poverty trap in Vietnam | June 2020 | British Medical Journal Global Health
News Article
- Meeting reviews implementation of social policies | 25 March | Viet Nam News
- Government ready to sacrifice economic growth to protect public health: PM | 03 April | Viet Nam News
- Coronavirus: How 'overreaction' made Vietnam a virus success | 15 May | BBC News

Regional

Blog
- The Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific: A Round-Up of Analysis from the Past Week | 08 April | Center for Global Development
- Flattening the curve of COVID-19 | 13 April | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- A “New Deal” for Informal Workers in Asia | 30 April | International Monetary Fund
- How to protect Asia’s rapidly aging population from COVID-19 | April 2020 | Asia Development Blog
- The need for universal basic income | 06 May | United Nations Development Programme
- Women are key to an effective COVID-19 Pacific response | 20 May | Devpolicy
- Women’s Unpaid and Underpaid Work in the Times of COVID-19 | 01 June | United Nations Women
- Blog | Poverty and the pandemic in the Pacific | 15 June | Development Policy Centre
- Developing Asia’s Social Protection Response to the COVID-19 Crisis | 07 July | International Monetary Fund
- The New Poor Post-Pandemic: Time For Cushioning The Most Vulnerable In Southeast Asia | 04 August | Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- COVID-19 and learning inequities in Indonesia: Four ways to bridge the gap | 19 August | The World Bank
- COVID-19 spending across the Pacific: the self-funded, the aid-financed, and the constrained | 20 August | Devpolicy
- Now is the time to reduce remittance costs | 21 August | Devpolicy
- What are Pacific governments spending on in response to COVID-19? | 24 August | Devpolicy
Brief
- COVID-19 and the world of work: Social protection responses in Asia-Pacific | 25 March | International Labour Organization, Social Protection Department
- The Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Developing Asia | March 2020 | Asian Development Bank
- COVID-19 and employment in the tourism sector: Impact and response in Asia and the Pacific | 24 April | International Labour Organization
- COVID-19 in Emerging Asia: Regional socio-economic implications and policy priorities | 27 April | Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Analysis of the Impacts on Employment, Government’s Initial Responses and Trade Union’s Actions in the Asian and Pacific Region | 05 May | International Trade Union Confederation
- COVID-19 RESPONSE IOM Regional Office for Asia Pacific Situation Report 9 | 18 May | International Organization for Migration
- The COVID-19 Outbreak and Gender: Regional Analysis and Recommendations from Asia and the Pacific | 19 May | CARE International
- Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19 : ESCAP Framework | 20 May | United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
- UNHCR Asia and the Pacific COVID-19 External Update | 27 May | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- COVID-19 Emergency response Asia-Pacific Situation Report | 29 May | Plan International
- COVID-19: Opportunities for Resilient Recovery | 29 May | United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
- Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (26 May- 1June 2020) | 02 June | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- UNHCR Asia and the Pacific COVID-19 External Update | 03 June | United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- ADRA Asia Regional COVID 19 Situation Report No. 09 - as of June 5, 2020 | 05 June | Adventist Development and Relief Agency International
- COVID-19 Emergency Response: Asia-Pacific Situation Report | 12 June | Plan International
- COVID-19 ADRA Asia COVID-19 - Situation Report #12 | 26 June | Adventist Development and Relief Agency
- UNDRR Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Brief: Disaster-Responsive Social Protection | July 2020 | United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- COVID-19 and Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific | 04 August | World Food Programme
- Macro Analysis of COVID-19 - Threats to Food Security and Livelihoods in Asia and the Pacific | 04 August | World Food Programme
- COVID-19 Emergency response Asia-Pacific Situation Report | 07 August | Plan International
Government Information
- Partnering with our neighbours to respond to COVID-19 | 29 May | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ausatralia
Multimedia
- Podcast: Pacific policy responses to COVID-19 | 10 July | Asia and the Pacific Policy Society
News Article
- COVID-19 – the Pacific response: 20 May | 20 May | Asia & the Pacific Policy Society
- Asia-Pacific nations commit the whole region to ‘defeat’ COVID-19 | 21 May | United Nations News
- FAO warns multiple impact of viruses, plagues and economic damage will fuel hunger in Asia and the Pacific | 28 May | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Scaling up social protection can build resilience to COVID-19 | 01 June | United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
- FAO calls for more innovative policies in Asia-Pacific to ensure food security and nutrition in the wake of COVID-19 | 22 June | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- New projects to strengthen food security, access to clean drinking water & provide renewable energy access for Pacific people | 25 August | Pacific Community
Op-Ed
- Banned Travel Due to COVID-19 Could See Millions of Pacific Workers Slide Into Poverty: Report | 21 May | Global Citizen
- Managing the Coronavirus: What the World Can Learn From Asia-Pacific Responses | 22 May | The Diplomat
- End stigma and discrimination against migrant workers and their children during COVID-19 pandemic | 09 June | United Nations Children's Fund
- Social protection is pathway to pandemic recovery | 15 July | Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund
Report
- COVID-19 in Emerging Asia: Regional socio-economic implications and policy priorities | 27 April | Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Asian Development Outlook 2020: What drives innovation in Asia? | April 2020 | Asian Development Bank
- East Asia and Pacific in the Time of COVID-19 | April 2020 | World Bank
- COVID-19 Global Health Emergency Response - Asia-Pacific Region Situation Report | 12 May | World Vision
- Pacific Humanitarian Team: COVID-19 Response Plan | 12 May | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- Fast-Tracking the SDGs: Driving Asia-Pacific Transformations | 19 May | Asian Development Bank, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, United Nations Development Programme
- Fast-Tracking the SDGs: Driving Asia-Pacific Transformations | 20 May | United Nations Development Programme, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Asia Development Bank
- UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Region - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation Report No. 7 | 22 May | United Nations Children's Fund
- COVID-19 Pacific Island Response Matrix | 02 June | Australian National University
- Unmasking the impact of COVID-19 on Asia's most vulnerable children | 07 July | World Vision
- Social protection responses to COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific: The story so far and future considerations | 19 August | United Nations Issue-based Coalition for Inclusion and Empowerment
- Tackling the COVID-19 youth employment crisis in Asia and the Pacific | August 2020 | International Labour Organization, Asian Development Bank
Statement
- Joint Statement of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development – Mitigating impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups in ASEAN | 18 June | Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- Keep the well-being of children of East Asia and Pacific at the centre of COVID-19 response and recovery | June 2020 | United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
- Asia’s Most Vulnerable Children on the Brink due to COVID-19 | 08 July | World Vision
Website
- COVID-19 Economic Impact Assessment Template | 28 March | Asian Development Bank / ERCD
- Asia Pacific COVID-19: Humanitarian Data Portal | 28 May | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- Mapping the Pacific COVID-19 response | 22 July | Asia and the Pacific Policy Society

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