Coronavirus Pandemic
Coronavirus Pandemic
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The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2). The outbreak was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January, and a pandemic on 11 March. As of 6 May 2020, more than 3.68 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in over 187 countries and territories, resulting in more than 257,000 deaths. More than 1.2 million people have recovered.
Total COVID-19 cases growing worldwide
Total COVID-19 cases growing worldwide
The pandemic has caused severe global socioeconomic disruption including the largest global recession since the Great Depression. It has led to the postponement or cancellation of sporting, religious, political and cultural events, widespread supply shortages exacerbated by panic buying and decreased emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Schools, universities and colleges have closed either on a nationwide or local basis in 194 countries, affecting approximately 98.5 per cent of the world's student population. Misinformation about the virus has spread online, and there have been incidents of xenophobia and discrimination against Chinese people and against those perceived as being Chinese, or as being from areas with high infection rates.
The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Pakistan on 26 February 2020, when a student in Karachi tested positive upon returning from Iran. By 18 March, cases had been registered in all four provinces, the two autonomous territories, and the federal territory of Islamabad.
As of 5 May 2020, there have been over 21,500 confirmed cases with 5,782 recoveries and 486 deaths in the country. Punjab has recorded the most cases at over 8,100, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported the most deaths in the country, a total of 185.The country has been put under a nation-wide lockdown until 9 May, which was initiated on 1 April and later extended twice.
By 17 June, each district in Pakistan had recorded at least one confirmed case of COVID-19. Pakistan currently has the third-largest number of confirmed cases in Asia, after India and Iran, the second-largest number of confirmed cases in South Asia, coming after India, and the 12th highest number of confirmed cases in the world.
Despite this, the number of deaths in the country and case fatality rate have remained relatively low compared to most other countries in the world and Asia, at 2.12% compared to the global average of approximately 4.1% (as of 19 July).
On 3 July, Pakistan's recoveries exceeded the number of active cases for the first time as 8,929 recoveries were recorded, making 51% of confirmed cases recoveries, and just six days later on 9 July, this figure surpassed 60%
COVID-19 Pakistan
COVID-19 Pakistan
How did COVID-19 affect AIESEC?
How did COVID-19 affect AIESEC?
AIESEC has also fallen as a victim to the economic breakdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our operations have been severely disturbed due to the crisis which initiated a crisis management plan with detailed communication and monitoring systems released by AIESEC International.
In March, ICB and AI decided to stop any type of attraction till April 15th. Our focus was only on our approvals and realizations. It was strongly recommended to not realize any EPs before 1st June. Auditing of health insurance was made a CTA (Call To Action) which was done by ECB Pakistan for our realized EPs. It is alarming for us that many EPs do not have health insurance or have expired health insurance. ICB sent a set of recommendations on how to approach approved and realized EPs, demanding reimbursements and defending our organization's liability by quoting clause 1.3 of Exchange Product Policies (XPP).
Per XPP, AIESEC is not liable to refund our stakeholders when the circumstances are beyond our control. Here it follows the referring clause:
1.3 Liability
1.3.1 AIESEC International Inc., AIESEC Member Committees (MC), AIESEC Sending Entity (SE) and AIESEC Hosting Entity (HE) may not be held liable for carrying out their respective responsibilities as described in these policies with the exception of their gross negligence or intentional fault. Without limitation, the aforementioned entities shall never be held liable:
...
1.3.1.7 Where the failure to fulfill their obligations has been caused by circumstances beyond their control (proof required), such as if it is a result of Acts of Nature (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane, or other natural disasters), War, Invasion, Act of foreign enemies, Hostilities (whether war is declared or not), Civil war rebellion, Revolution, Insurrection, Military or usurped power or confiscation, Terrorist activities, Nationalization, Government sanction, Blockage, Embargo, Labour dispute, Strike, Lockout or Interruption or failure of electricity and/or other necessities.
Present Situation
Present Situation
As of now, the pandemic has worsened and it has officially been decided that there will be no exchanges before 1st of September, 2020.
ECB Chair and MC Responsible had a meeting with the ICB Chair on the 31st of March where she highly recommended us to map all the EPs that are realized on EXPA right now. After contacting the EPs, I have developed some insights:
1. Many realized EPs are not in contact with the home entity.
This is super dangerous because the EPs may need help or at least AIESEC support during this phase
2. Many entities do not have contacts of the realized EPs (especially GT EPs).
3. Many EPs do not have a valid health insurance.
4. Many EPs are expected to have their visa/work permit expire by the end of the lockdown in the countries.
Considering this, here are the next steps I highly recommend you to do:
1. Together map all the EPs you have realized on EXPA in your entity.
2. After mapping the RE EPs, understand their situation. Here it goes some suggestions of questions you can ask them:
How is your exchange going? Did your project get affected due to COVID-19?
How is the relationship between you and your OP?
Do you need any support from AIESEC due to the COVID-19 situation?
Can you please send us your health insurance?
Please, refer to the most common situation mapped if you find any problem due to COVID-19.
3. It is highly suggested to get your EPs to sign the EP Acknowledgement Letter but do not force them.
Certificate for EP Affected by COVID-19
Certificate for EP Affected by COVID-19
The Entity Control Board is also aware of the "realization break dilemma" we are facing with many opportunities getting cancelled midway due to COVID-19. Being a customer centric body, we have designed a "Certificate of Appreciation" for all the unfortunate EPs who have got their projects cancelled due to COVID-19 and as a result, realizations broken. I have made a sample of the certificate using my exchange project information (which I went to Turkey two years ago) for your better understanding.If your entity has cases of broken realizations due to COVID-19, kindly fill this google form: https://forms.gle/7tWsgumM6gvALB8h7
You will send us the EPs details and I will confirm from the Quality Assurance team about the genuinity of the realization break. Once the genuinity is confirmed, I will generate a certificate for your EP with your LCP and LCVP OGX signatures.
You will send us the EPs details and I will confirm from the Quality Assurance team about the genuinity of the realization break. Once the genuinity is confirmed, I will generate a certificate for your EP with your LCP and LCVP OGX signatures.
COVID-19 Refund Policy
COVID-19 Refund Policy
AiP Refund Policy'20-min.pdfCOVID-19 Guidelines
COVID-19 Guidelines
COVID Exchange SOP Booklet Internal.pdfCOVID-19 Guidelines for EP
COVID-19 Guidelines for EP
COVID-19 EP SOP Booklet.pdfReport abuse