Bringing within reach: The importance of engaging armed non-state actors to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic

Since December 2019 COVID-19 has spread to 205 countries, areas or territories with over 1.4m confirmed cases, overwhelming even the most advanced health facilities and killing over 75,000 people worldwide. The threat of COVID-19 is even greater in conflict-affected areas – especially for communities living in areas of active conflict or living under the control of Armed Non-State Actors (ANSAs). However, as most of the international support focuses on State- led response, not only are these extremely vulnerable communities at risk of being left behind, but this blind-spot may also undermine efforts to bring this crisis under control at both a national and global level.