Navigating the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic in Asia: State measures, grassroots responses and implications for recovery

Abstract

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains how pandemic policies were framed and enforced in the five cities, how marginalised populations experienced and navigated the impacts of COVID-19 and state measures. It discusses the impact of COVID19 and lockdown measures on informal workers in Karachi. The book explains the role of welfare organisations played in providing food and rations. It identifies the gaps in social security schemes and the possible way forward to reform the social security provision to informal workers. The book discusses the measures taken by the government and non-government entities in ..