30 OCTOBER 2020
REMINDER: MEDIA ADVISORY
The Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Nardos Bekele-Thomas will today - 30 October 2020, officially launch the COVID-19 Rapid Needs Assessment Report.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous uncertainty and presented unprecedented socio-economic challenges for countries across the globe, including South Africa. With the pandemic crippling efforts by economies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is crucial for all countries to ‘build back better’ by addressing both the short- and long-term socio-economic impact.
The Department of Social Development requested the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), South Africa, to conduct a rapid assessment of the COVID-19 situation, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups.
Key amongst others, the assessment results demonstrate that the pandemic has entrenched existing socio-economic challenges such as poverty, unemployment and inequality.
The landmark report also highlights food security, unemployment, disruptions in basic and higher education as some of the factors that affected South Africans and includes recommendations as well as global and regional data and analysis.
The overall objective of the launch is to make its contents public, and for the panellists - including the UNDP South Africa Resident Representative, Dr Ayodele Odusola, UN agencies, the South African government officials and non-governmental stakeholders, to deliberate on the report, and discuss possible solutions to the current dilemmas faced by vulnerable South Africans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The launch of the report also coincides with the end of Social Development Month which is commemorated every year in October. Social Development month marks the country’s commitment to caring for the most vulnerable, particularly at these challenging times.
Members of the media are invited to join the virtual launch of the report scheduled as follows:
Date: Friday, 30 October 2020
Time: 13:00 - 15:00
Venue: Ronnie Mamoepa Press Room, Tshedimosetso House (GCIS), 1035 Frances Baard Street, Hatfield
Media Participation: Journalists may view the briefing via live streaming on the SA Government Facebook page, Twitter and YouTube channels on the links below.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/GovernmentZA (link is external)
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GovernmentZA (link is external)
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GovernmentZA(link is external)
SABC will provide pool feed as follows:
Satellite Amos7 @ 4 West
Downlink 12649.5 Mhz V
Symbol Rate 2.7 MSym/s
Modulation 8PSK
Video HD H.264 @ 4.2.0
Media can RSVP by Ms Sharlene Naiker on 082 673 5849 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Rhulani Lehloka: 0663071827 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
