Home to more than 50% of the global population, cities are at the forefront of the COVID-19 crisis. Supporting cities in responding to the pandemic is critical to blunting the impact of the virus. It’s urban leaders who can change the course of the pandemic, armed with scientific knowledge, best practices in crisis leadership and communication and tools for bolstering health systems and essential services.
The Partnership for Healthy Cities COVID-19 Response Center offers cities practical guidance in four technical areas. Explore the full library or click on the topic areas below for tailored resources. We also encourage you to look at past sessions in the Partnership’s virtual learning series and review frequently asked technical questions from cities worldwide.
NEW: Read how six cities in the global network are taking action against COVID-19.
Care and guidance for marginalised populations during the COVID-19 pandemic: Athens, Greece
Through a cross-society collaboration dedicated to health promotion and harm reduction, the city of Athens has ensured that pandemic response efforts meet the unique vulnerabilities of marginalized groups. The city’s interventions demonstrate real commitment to tackling the long-standing challenges of homelessness and substance use, and improving access to health for hard-to-reach groups.
Expanding cycling infrastructure to fight the COVID-19 pandemic: Lima, Peru
Concerned about the risk of crowded public transport during COVID-19, the city of Lima is strengthening its cycling infrastructure with almost 50 km of emergency cycle lanes and additional parking.
Data for equitable COVID-19 action: Kampala, Uganda
Recognizing the need to focus resources on those at risk of the greatest impact of COVID-19, authorities in Kampala sought to conduct a rapid assessment of community vulnerability. The resulting framework allows for a targeted approach informed by data and oriented around equity.
“The Partnership for Healthy Cities initiative has been successful in bringing global cities together to advance public health – and now, in the face of the coronavirus crisis, it is stepping up to help local leaders around the world save even more lives.”
Michael R. Bloomberg